【By Observer Net, Wang Kaiwen】According to Bloomberg, on October 31 local time, US President Trump threatened to take military action against the African country Nigeria, citing the reason that the country's government "allows Islamic terrorists to kill Christians."

Trump wrote on his own social platform Truth Social: "If the Nigerian government continues to allow Christians to be killed, the United States will immediately stop all aid and support to Nigeria, and it is very likely that the United States will 'open fire' into that now dishonorable country, completely eliminating the Islamic terrorists who have committed these terrible atrocities."

Trump said he was instructing the US Department of War (Defense Department) to prepare for possible actions, "If we launch an attack, it will be quick, fierce, and satisfying, just as these terrorists attacked our beloved Christians."

US Defense Secretary Hegseth then took a screenshot on X platform and forwarded Trump's post, replying: "Yes, sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and around the world must stop immediately. The Department of War is preparing for the action. The Nigerian government either protects Christians, or the United States will take action against the Islamic terrorists who have committed these terrible crimes."

On the previous day, October 31, Trump listed Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" due to concerns over the safety of Christians in Nigeria. Republican Senator Ted Cruz has also long called on the US Congress to designate Nigeria as a "country that violates religious freedom."

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu immediately responded, stating on X platform: "Describing Nigeria as a country intolerant of religion does not reflect our national reality, and ignores the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to ensure religious and faith freedom for all Nigerians."

Nigerian President Tinubu, Oriental IC

"Since 2023, this government has maintained open and active communication with Christian and Islamic leaders and continuously addressed the security challenges affecting citizens of different religions and regions," Tinubu said. "Nigeria opposes religious persecution and will not tolerate such acts."

Nigeria is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the most populous country in Africa, with a population of about 230 million, where Christians and Muslims are almost equally divided.

This year, Tinubu has faced pressure from increasing Islamic insurgency in northern Nigeria, including attacks on dozens of fortified military camps.

The Associated Press stated that Nigeria has long been facing threats from multiple sources, including the extremist group Boko Haram, which attempts to promote its extreme interpretation of Islamic law and targets Muslims whom it considers "not Muslim enough".

The report pointed out that the motives behind the attacks in Nigeria vary, some are religious, targeting Christians or Muslims, others are conflicts between farmers and herders due to resource shortages. There are also tensions between different communities, separatist groups, and ethnic groups.

Although Christians are also among the targets of attacks, analysts point out that in the northern part of Nigeria, where Muslims are in the majority, attacks are the most frequent, and the victims there are mainly Muslims.

Nigeria's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa stated on October 1 that Nigeria protects all citizens of different races, beliefs, and religions, "Just like the United States, Nigeria must embrace diversity, which is our greatest strength."

Nigeria was listed by the US State Department in 2020, during Trump's first term, as a "country of particular concern" for "systematic violation of religious freedom", but the Biden administration revoked this designation in 2021.

Nigeria has become a new target for Trump's threat of military action. In recent times, Trump has repeatedly threatened to conduct ground strikes on Venezuela, and media reports say that the Trump administration has already developed a list of targets, awaiting Trump's orders.

However, Trump stated on October 31 that he had not yet decided whether to launch an attack on ground targets in Venezuela. When asked on Air Force One about the report that he was considering an attack on Venezuela, Trump replied, "No."

This article is exclusive to Observer Net. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7567935771135476270/

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