A United States federal lawmaker has issued a stark warning to Nigeria, urging the West African nation not to underestimate the resolve of President Donald Trump regarding alleged religious persecution. The warning follows renewed military threats from the US administration.
Congressman Echoes Presidential Threat
Rep. Riley M. Moore, a member of the US Congress, publicly cautioned Nigeria against taking President Trump's warnings lightly. Moore emphasized that the President remains steadfast in his commitment to protect Christians in Nigeria, repeating the controversial allegation that Christians continue to face persecution in the country.
This congressional warning comes just days after President Trump himself issued a direct threat of military action. In an interview with The New York Times published on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Trump addressed a previous US military strike in Nigeria carried out on Christmas Day. He stated his preference for a single operation but warned, "I’d love to make it a one-time strike. But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike."
Nigerians React with Fury and Accusations of Hypocrisy
Congressman Moore took to social media to reiterate Trump's threat, a move that sparked immediate and fierce backlash from Nigerians online. The comment sections were flooded with critiques questioning the sincerity and motives behind the US position.
Many pointed to recent US military involvement in Venezuela, a predominantly Christian nation, as evidence of hypocrisy. One user, Omolayo, commented, "What about Venezuela, which is 80% Christian? Trump doesn’t care about Christians, but I grudgingly welcome his presence in the northern part of Nigeria."
Another respondent, Umar Yusuf Dayyabu, echoed this sentiment, accusing the US of resource-driven motives: "The same US that just finished bombing a Christian country (Venezuela) and is currently stealing their oil is now claiming to want to save Christians in Nigeria. The US only wants our natural resources, that’s it."
Other criticisms focused on perceived imperialism and domestic issues. Amadu Yahuza labeled the statements as "political branding" amidst restrictive US visa policies for Nigerians. Garvy challenged the lawmaker to address violence against Christians within the United States, asking, "I guess you were blind to Christians murdered right in front of your nose in Salt Lake City... Suppose their lives don't matter, right?"
Background: A Recent Strike and a Controversial Pardon
The exchange occurs in the context of a recent US military operation on Nigerian soil. Days before Trump's interview, the United States launched a strike in Sokoto State, targeting terrorist hideouts. The operation reportedly also affected areas in neighboring Niger and Kwara states.
Interestingly, Rep. Riley Moore has previously been involved in Nigerian judicial matters. He advocated for the release of Sunday Jackson, a man sentenced to death in Adamawa State for killing a herdsman in self-defence. Jackson was recently pardoned by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, a move Moore had championed through congressional hearings and media engagements.
The situation presents a complex picture of US-Nigeria relations, intertwining security concerns, human rights advocacy, and geopolitical interests, all under the shadow of a potent military threat from the world's foremost power.
