The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has reportedly reacted strongly to recent comments by former United States President Donald Trump, who threatened possible military action in Nigeria. The extremist group issued a stern warning in a message shared across its communication networks, describing Trump as a “reckless American tyrant” and accusing him of targeting Muslims in Africa under the guise of defending Christians.
The reaction comes days after Trump, in a statement, accused Nigerian authorities of committing “genocide” against Christians and said he had directed the US Department of Defense to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria. Trump also repeated his earlier position that Nigeria should remain listed as a Country of Particular Concern — a designation for nations accused of violating religious freedoms.
According to a Nigerian security source, ISWAP used its usual online propaganda channels to respond to Trump’s remarks.
In its message, ISWAP accused Trump of being influenced by what it called “evangelical Christian and Jewish advisers,” alleging that his statement was part of a wider Western plot against Muslims in Africa.
“Trump’s move is a desperate attempt by the United States to act as a global defender of Christians while committing crimes against Muslims,” the extremist group reportedly said.
The group urged its members and sympathisers across West Africa to remain alert and avoid using smartphones or gathering in large groups, warning that the US threat could lead to increased surveillance and air strikes in areas where its fighters operate.
The message also called for unity among Muslims in the region, describing the alleged American plan as “a war against Islam and African Muslims.”
Security sources said the group’s propaganda message was circulated widely among ISWAP supporters, especially in the Lake Chad region — a known stronghold of the terrorist organisation.
Trump’s comments about Nigeria have generated mixed reactions both locally and internationally. The former US President, who has often spoken about the persecution of Christians around the world, said during a media interview that the United States “will not stand by” while Christians are “slaughtered in Nigeria.”
He claimed that his administration had already identified Nigeria as a hotbed of religious persecution and hinted that the US might intervene militarily if “the killing of Christians” continues.
Nigeria was first designated a Country of Particular Concern in 2020 during Trump’s administration, following reports by US-based religious freedom groups that accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities from attacks by extremists and bandits. However, the Biden administration later removed Nigeria from the list in 2021, sparking criticism from Christian advocacy groups.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied allegations of religious persecution, insisting that ongoing insecurity in parts of the country, including attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP, affects both Christians and Muslims.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is a splinter group of Boko Haram, formed in 2016 after a leadership dispute within the terrorist organisation. The group operates mainly around the Lake Chad Basin — covering parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon — and has carried out numerous attacks against civilians, security forces, and humanitarian workers.
ISWAP is considered one of the deadliest terrorist groups in Africa and is affiliated with the global Islamic State (ISIS) network. Over the years, the group has focused on establishing control over rural communities, imposing taxes, and running its own justice system in some areas of Borno and Yobe states.
The Defence Headquarters in Abuja has continued to stress that ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North-East are yielding results, with several ISWAP commanders recently neutralised in air and ground offensives.
