Davos, Switzerland – U.S. President Donald Trump asserted on Thursday, January 22, 2026, that American military forces are actively "annihilating terrorists who are killing Christians" in Nigeria, framing the operations as part of broader global peace and security gains. The remarks came during the signing ceremony for his newly established Board of Peace initiative on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Speaking to an audience that included leaders from several nations, Trump highlighted what he described as positive developments worldwide. "Many good things are happening," he said. "In Nigeria, we are annihilating terrorists who are killing Christians. We’ve hit them very hard. They’ve killed thousands and thousands of Christians." He punctuated the statement with a rhetorical question: "What's that all about?" emphasizing his view that the violence represents an unacceptable targeting of Christian communities.
Trump's comments build on his administration's escalating focus on religious persecution in Nigeria, particularly against Christians in the country's northern and Middle Belt regions. In October 2025, Trump redesignated Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing severe and systematic violations related to the killings of Christians, which he attributed to Islamic terrorists. The designation, first made during his initial term in 2020 and reversed under the Biden administration, was reinstated amid advocacy from U.S. lawmakers and religious freedom groups.
The CPC label signals that a country engages in or tolerates "particularly severe violations of religious freedom," potentially opening avenues for sanctions, aid restrictions, or other measures. Trump has repeatedly described the situation in Nigeria as a "genocide" or "existential threat" to Christianity, pointing to attacks by groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other militants. Reports from organizations such as Open Doors and local advocacy groups have documented thousands of Christian deaths in recent years due to insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes, though exact figures vary and often include broader violence affecting Muslims as well.
A pivotal escalation occurred on Christmas Day 2025, when Trump ordered U.S. military airstrikes against what he called "ISIS terrorist scum" in northwestern Nigeria's Sokoto State. The strikes, conducted in coordination with Nigerian authorities and using precision-guided munitions from drones and possibly naval assets, targeted alleged Islamic State-linked camps. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the operation, stating it resulted in multiple terrorist casualties and was carried out at Nigeria's request to disrupt threats. Trump later described the timing as a deliberate "Christmas present" to the militants, underscoring his framing of the action as protective of Christian populations.
Nigerian officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, acknowledged the joint nature of the strikes and provided intelligence support, while emphasizing that the violence stems from criminal and extremist elements affecting all faiths indiscriminately. Information Minister Mohammed Idris and Foreign Ministry statements pushed back against characterizations of targeted religious persecution, asserting that terrorists attack Muslims, Christians, and others who reject their ideology. Critics, including some analysts and Nigerian commentators, have argued that Trump's narrative oversimplifies complex drivers of insecurity—such as resource competition, banditry, and governance failures—potentially exacerbating communal tensions.
The Davos remarks tie into Trump's broader foreign policy agenda, showcased through the Board of Peace launch. The initiative, focused initially on Gaza reconstruction and stability, has drawn commitments from about 35 countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and others. Trump positioned the board as complementary to the United Nations, but its creation has raised concerns among some allies about diluting multilateral institutions.
In Nigeria, the U.S. actions have elicited mixed reactions. Supporters of Trump's approach, including some Nigerian Christian leaders and diaspora groups, have welcomed the intervention as long-overdue pressure on extremists. However, government officials and analysts have expressed unease over unilateral framing and potential sovereignty implications. Reports indicate ongoing U.S.-Nigeria cooperation, including military aid shipments and intelligence sharing, aimed at degrading terrorist networks like Lakurawa and IS affiliates in the northwest.
Violence in Nigeria remains a persistent challenge, with groups operating in the northeast (Boko Haram/ISWAP), northwest (bandits and emerging extremists), and central regions (farmer-herder clashes often overlaid with ethnic and religious dimensions). International observers note that while Christians have suffered disproportionately in some attacks, the conflict's roots are multifaceted, involving poverty, climate stress, and weak state presence.
Trump's administration has signaled potential for further operations if threats persist, aligning with his "America First" doctrine that prioritizes protecting U.S. interests and allies while confronting perceived global threats. The comments in Davos reinforce this stance, portraying U.S. military engagement as a force for good against terrorism.
As discussions continue at the World Economic Forum, Trump's Nigeria reference highlights how religious freedom and counterterrorism intersect with his diplomatic initiatives. Whether the approach yields lasting security gains or risks backlash remains under scrutiny, amid calls for balanced, inclusive strategies addressing all victims of violence in Nigeria.
