US and Nigerian officials held a closed-door Pentagon meeting after Donald Trump threatened to halt aid and launch military action if Nigeria “continues to allow the killing of Christians,” prompting warnings, denials, and diplomatic pushback from both sides.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine met privately with Nigeria’s national security adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu after President Donald Trump warned that if Nigeria “continues to allow the killing of Christians,” the US could cut aid and intervene militarily “guns-a-blazing,” adding, “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”
Trump ordered the Defense Department — which he informally renamed the “Department of War” — to prepare for potential operations, prompting Hegseth to reply, “Yes sir, the Department of War is preparing for action.” While conservative US lawmakers amplified concerns, analysts argued the claims exaggerate the situation, with Nnamdi Obasi telling CNN that Christians and Muslims “live peacefully” in most areas and that reports of persecution are “seriously misread.” Nigeria rejected its inclusion on the US religious-freedom violators list, saying the label “does not reflect our national reality,” as US officials acknowledged logistical hurdles to any military deployment and continued “frank conversations” with Nigerian leaders.