Why Trump Ordered a US Strike on Militants in Nigeria

Allegations of Christians being persecuted in Nigeria have floated around right-wing circles in America for years. US President Donald Trump amplified such claims during his first term in office, escalated the rhetoric after returning to the White House, and followed through on a threat to take military action in December. On Christmas Day, US forces conducted airstrikes in northwest Nigeria targeting militants linked to Islamic State that Trump said were responsible for “the slaughtering of Christians.”

Nigeria, a nation of about 230 million people that’s roughly split between a Muslim north and Christian south, does face formidable security challenges, including the threat posed by Islamic militants. President Bola Tinubu has denied that any religious group is being singled out. Still, his government coordinated with the US on the strikes.