A senior US official has signalled readiness to use military force over alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria, echoing recent threats from President Donald Trump that have sparked international concern.
In an X post on Sunday, United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote: “The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria, and anywhere, must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
Hegseth’s message followed a Truth Social post by Trump in which the president warned Washington could halt aid to Nigeria and said he had instructed the “Department of War to prepare for possible action” if the country did not stop what he described as the killing of Christians.
Trump added that any strike would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
