Trump Threatens Action as Religious Violence Escalates in Nigeria: “people…Are Very Upset”
The U.S. government recently re-designated Nigeria as a ”Contry of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations, prompting a strong response from former President Donald Trump. The designation, requiring the U.S. government to address violations – perhaps through economic sanctions – was welcomed by some advocates who believe the nation has been inadequately scrutinized.
Jeff Veldkamp, a representative of Christian Solidarity International (CSI), noted the meaning of Nigeria’s inclusion on the list. “more Christians are killed in Nigeria for their faith every year than in the rest of the world combined,” he stated, referencing a previous assessment by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom who called Nigeria’s prior exclusion “unexplainable.”
Following the re-designation, Trump issued a statement on his Truth Social account on November 1st, threatening decisive action if the Nigerian government fails to protect christians. He stated, ”If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will instantly stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.” he further instructed the Department of Defense to prepare for potential military intervention, characterizing any such action as “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
Veldkamp expressed intrigue regarding the policy process behind trump’s statement, noting its immediate impact within Nigeria. “I was just talking to my Nigerian colleague about an hour ago, and he said, ‘People in Nigeria are very upset about this. The government is on its toes. They’re looking for a way out,'” Veldkamp relayed. He characterized this as a potentially positive advancement,creating an possibility for change.
However, Veldkamp cautioned against relying solely on military force, arguing that the issue requires a more nuanced approach than “mere bombs and weapons.” He highlighted the complex nature of the violence, identifying two primary aggressors: Boko Haram jihadists aiming to establish an Islamic state, and Fulani militias engaged in what he described as a “slow-motion ethnic cleansing campaign” targeting Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
According to Veldkamp, these militias systematically attack and destroy Christian villages, killing residents, displacing populations, and either burning or occupying the land. This has resulted in the disappearance of hundreds of historically Christian villages.
Veldkamp also addressed skepticism regarding the disproportionate number of Christian deaths, emphasizing that CSI and other organizations have meticulously tracked the violence. He urged the U.S. to appoint a monitor to oversee the situation in Nigeria and to implement a clear policy of consequences for continued attacks, including aid cutoffs and exclusion from security conferences.
