United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has confirmed that the U.S. Department of War is preparing for possible military action in Nigeria, following President Donald Trump?s directive over alleged widespread killings of Christians in the country.

Reacting to Trump?s directive on possible U.S. military action in Nigeria, Hegseth issued a stern warning on X, declaring that Washington would strike if the Nigerian government failed to stop the ongoing killings of Christians.

He wrote, ?The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria ? and anywhere ? must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.?

His comment came shortly after President Trump, in a post on his Truth Social account on Saturday, instructed the U.S. War Department to prepare for a possible strike in Nigeria.

The president accused the Nigerian government of turning a blind eye to what he described as the ?genocide of Christians? across the country.

Trump warned that the United States would immediately halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria if the attacks on Christians continue.

He also indicated that America might intervene militarily to eliminate what he called ?Islamic terrorists? responsible for the killings.

?If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately 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,? Trump wrote.

He further stated, ?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! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!?

Trump has designated Nigeria as a ?country of particular concern,? alleging that Christianity in the country faces an existential threat.

He claimed that thousands of Christians have been killed by radical Islamist groups and called for an immediate congressional investigation into the crisis.

Trump reiterated that the United States would not remain silent while Christians in Nigeria and other parts of the world face persecution, insisting that America stands ready to defend Christian populations globally. (Sunday Tribune)

Update news