US President Donald Trump, in a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times published on Thursday, hinted at the possibility of numerous military operations in Nigeria if violence against Christians continues.
When asked if the military assault against Islamic State extremists in northwest Nigeria on December 25 was the beginning of a larger campaign, Trump answered, “I’d love to make it a one-time strike… but if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.”
The US strike, which Washington characterized as targeting Islamic State affiliates at the request of the Nigerian government, garnered international notice when it took place on Christmas Day.
Trump portrayed it as a response to what he described as numerous killings of Christians by extremist organizations in Nigeria, using rhetoric that has sparked controversy about the intervention’s intentions.
When asked about comments from his senior Africa adviser that Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram had killed more Muslims than Christians in Nigeria, Trump acknowledged that Muslims were also victims.
“I think that Muslims are being killed in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians,” he said.
The Federal Government has rejected claims of a genocide against Christians, pointing out that violent armed groups operate with mixed motives.
The Nigerian government has emphasized collaboration with foreign counter-terrorism partners while maintaining that violence against any community, regardless of faith, is abhorrent.
