“I warned these terrorists: if they do not stop the persecution of Christians, they will face serious consequences, and that happened this evening,” Trump emphasized, commenting on the actions of the U.S. Department of Defense.
The President also noted that under his leadership, America will not allow the spread of radical Islamic terror.
In early November, Trump mentioned various options for military operations in Nigeria, including a possible troop deployment and airstrikes. In December, he decided to impose a partial travel ban on Nigerian citizens.
In early December, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency due to ongoing mass kidnappings. He also ordered an additional recruitment drive for the Armed Forces and police.
Recently, there have been several attacks on educational institutions and churches in Nigeria. For example, on November 21, armed groups attacked St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger State, abducting 215 students and 12 teachers.
The U.S. has criticized the Nigerian authorities for what they believe to be complicity in the mass killings of Christians. Trump did not rule out the possibility of military intervention.
Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities have denied claims that Christianity in the country is under threat of extinction. In response to the diplomatic crisis caused by the situation with Christians in Nigeria, the Holy See also issued a statement. The Vatican's chief diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, supported the position of the Nigerian government, denying the existence of genocide. He emphasized that the violence in the country "is not a religious conflict, but more resembles a social problem" affecting people of all faiths.
