The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has sent a strong message to the Nigerian Government, warning that Washington will not remain silent if attacks on Christian communities continue across the country.
In a statement that has sparked global debate, Hegseth said the Department of Defense is “preparing for decisive action” should Nigeria fail to guarantee the safety of Christians and other religious minorities.
“The Nigerian government must act swiftly to protect Christians from extremist violence,” he declared. “If they cannot, then others will.”
His remarks have drawn mixed reactions — with human rights advocates welcoming the United States’ attention to Nigeria’s growing security crisis, while diplomatic analysts caution that such comments could heighten geopolitical tensions.
Observers note that the warning comes amid renewed reports of attacks in the country’s Middle Belt and northern regions, where religiously motivated violence has led to significant loss of life and displacement.
The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official response to Hegseth’s comments.