Trump Warns of More Military Strikes in Nigeria Over Attacks on Christians

President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning that the United States is prepared to launch further military strikes in Nigeria if the killing of Christians persists.1 In a recent interview with The New York Times published on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Trump addressed the recent U.S. missile attacks on Christmas Day, suggesting they were not necessarily a one-off event. He stated, “I’d love to make it a one-time strike. But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike,” signaling a more aggressive U.S. military stance in the West African nation.

The strikes targeted two insurgent camps in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria, allegedly belonging to the "Lakurawa" group, which Trump identified as "ISIS Terrorist Scum." The President has previously characterized the violence in Nigeria as a "genocide" against Christians, a claim he used to justify the redesignation of Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) and his "guns-a-blazing" military threats made in late 2025.

The Nigerian government has moved quickly to manage the diplomatic fallout, emphasizing that it retained control over the military operation. Ademola Oshodi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, stated:

“It was defined, time-bound cooperation in which Nigeria retained decision-making control.9 That distinction is critical.”

Furthermore, Nigerian authorities have consistently rejected the narrative that Christians are being uniquely targeted. Government officials, supported by data from security analysts, point out that extremist groups like Boko Haram and various bandit groups kill both Muslims and Christians indiscriminately. Even Trump’s senior adviser for Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, noted that these groups kill more Muslims than Christians. However, in his latest interview, Trump maintained his focus, saying, “I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians.”

The U.S. Congress is expected to receive a report this month from Rep. Riley Moore outlining further ways the U.S. can intervene, including potential targeted sanctions against Nigerian officials deemed complicit in religious persecution.

Would you like me to look into the international reactions or the specific security reports regarding the "Lakurawa" group targeted in these strikes?

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