(MENAFN) In Nigeria, US President Donald Trump recently highlighted the risk of military intervention, citing assaults on Christians. However, terrorist attacks in the country also target Muslims, who constitute roughly half of the population, prompting varied responses to Trump’s statements across Nigeria.

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, warning that if the Nigerian government “continues to allow the killing of Christians,” Washington would immediately halt all aid and support to the West African nation. He added that the US might enter “that now disgraced country, 'guns-a-blazing.'”

“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” he declared.

Reacting to Trump’s remarks, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took to the US social media company X’s platform, emphasizing that Trump overlooked the Nigerian government’s “consistent and sincere” measures to safeguard religious freedom and the beliefs of all citizens.

“Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it. Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” Tinubu affirmed.

As Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria is home to roughly 220 million people and has two predominant religions: Christianity and Islam. C

hristians have historically held influential positions in governance, with many former presidents and high-ranking officials coming from Christian backgrounds.

Today, Christians remain a vital component of Nigeria’s national identity and continue to play a key role in its social, economic, and political spheres.

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