Trump Warns of Possible Further U.S. Strikes in Nigeria Over Reported Killings
Trump, asked whether the December 25 military operation against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria marked the start of a broader campaign, said, “I’d love to make it a one-time strike… but if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.”
The US strike, which Washington described as targeting Islamic State affiliates at the request of the Nigerian government, drew global attention when it was carried out on Christmas Day.
Trump framed it as a response to what he characterised as repeated killings of Christians by extremist groups in Nigeria, language that has fuelled debate over the motivations behind the intervention.
The Federal Government has rejected claims of a genocide against Christians, pointing out that violent armed groups operate with mixed motives and have killed both Muslims and Christians across the country’s troubled north.