Insecurity: Muslims Killed Too, but Christians Are Primary Targets, Trump Says; Promises More Airstrikes

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that there could be additional U.S. military strikes in Nigeria if violence against Christians continues, while acknowledging that Muslims are also being killed. His remarks come amid ongoing debates over the scale and nature of religiously motivated violence in the country.

Trump spoke in an interview with *The New York Times*, published Thursday, addressing questions about a U.S. strike conducted on Christmas Day in northwest Nigeria. The operation targeted Islamic State militants and was carried out with the cooperation of the Nigerian government. At the time, Nigeria described the strike as a “joint operation” against terrorists, emphasizing it was not directed at any religious group.

“I’d love to make it a one-time strike … But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike,” Trump said.

When asked about statements from his Africa adviser that Islamic State and Boko Haram militants had killed more Muslims than Christians, Trump acknowledged Muslim casualties but maintained that Christians remain the main victims.

The Christmas Day strike involved the U.S. military firing 12 Tomahawk missiles at ISIS fighters, according to U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore. He said the action marks the beginning of a broader military effort, with more operations expected in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, stressed that the U.S. airstrikes were carried out with full Nigerian approval and intelligence support, neither violated Nigeria’s sovereignty nor targeted any religious group.

Trump has repeatedly expressed concern about the safety of Christians in Nigeria. In late October, he described Christianity in the country as facing an “existential threat” and suggested that U.S. intervention could be necessary if the Nigerian government fails to protect Christian communities.

Nigeria, with a population of over 230 million, is roughly evenly divided between Christians, primarily in the south, and Muslims, mainly in the north. The country faces persistent security challenges, including insurgency-related attacks, kidnappings, and communal violence. Nigerian authorities have consistently rejected claims that Christians are uniquely targeted, noting that both religious groups are affected by militant activity.

Following strategic engagements between U.S. and Nigerian officials, including a delegation led by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the military is “working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”