United States Congressman Bill Huizenga has said that former President Donald Trump is unlikely to launch a military operation in Nigeria despite his recent tough remarks about alleged attacks on Christians and other citizens in the country.
In an interview with Arise Television, Huizenga clarified that Trump’s comments were an expression of frustration at the persistent violence rather than an indication of an imminent military intervention. The U.S. lawmaker explained that Trump’s preferred approach would likely involve the use of sanctions — economic and targeted — rather than boots on the ground.
“I too was surprised by how strongly those comments came out,” Huizenga said. “I suspect that an actual military intervention in Nigeria is not a high priority for President Trump. However, he does want to make sure that what he sees as genocide against Christians and others in Nigeria comes to an end. While I don’t foresee any kind of military strike, I believe he wants action that sends a strong message.”
The congressman emphasized that sanctions would be the most practical way for the U.S. to pressure individuals and organizations believed to be behind the violence. According to him, the American government could freeze assets, restrict travel, and block the flow of funds to violent groups and their sponsors.
“I would first and foremost encourage the use of economic pressure and sanctions on both individuals and organizations. That would be the most effective step,” he said.
Huizenga also noted that Trump has consistently preferred diplomatic and economic tools over open warfare during his presidency. “Frankly, this President has been someone who has pursued peace rather than expanding war,” he said. “I think he would be very selective before he did anything militarily.”
He further explained that sanctions can have real and lasting effects on extremist networks by disrupting their sources of funding. “Sanctions cut off the flow of money and the freedom to travel,” he said. “We don’t always know who finances operations linked to the Fulani militants or Boko Haram, but when financial restrictions are imposed, it makes a big difference.”
Trump recently reignited debate about Nigeria’s insecurity when he described the country as a “country of particular concern” due to what he called the mass killing of Christians by extremist groups. He alleged that radical Islamist militants were responsible for the attacks and vowed that the U.S. would not ignore the situation.
In a message shared on social media, Trump declared: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a country of particular concern. That is a legal definition.”
He also cited alarming figures to underscore the scale of the crisis, claiming that 3,100 Christians had been killed in Nigeria compared to 4,476 deaths globally. “When Christians or any group is slaughtered like it’s happening in Nigeria, what horrible numbers,” he said.
Trump then directed some members of the U.S. Congress to take up the issue urgently. “Something has to be done,” he said. “I am asking Congressman Riley Moore together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee to immediately look into this matter and report back to me.”
He warned that the U.S. could cut aid or take other measures if the killings continued, declaring that Washington “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and other countries.”
Nigeria has struggled with rising insecurity for over a decade, with violence ranging from banditry and kidnapping to terrorist attacks by Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). The Middle Belt and parts of the North have also witnessed recurring clashes between farmers and herders, which often take on religious and ethnic undertones.
According to several international and local rights groups, thousands of people have been killed in recent years, many of them civilians caught in conflicts between armed groups and communities. Attacks on churches, villages, and places of worship have also fueled concerns among Christian leaders and human rights advocates, who accuse the government of failing to protect its citizens.
The U.S. government has periodically designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” under its International Religious Freedom Act — a status reserved for nations where severe violations of religious rights are documented. The designation allows Washington to consider sanctions and other measures to pressure governments into improving human rights conditions.
Relations between Washington and Abuja have at times been strained over security and human rights issues. During Trump’s presidency, the U.S. withheld some military support to Nigeria over concerns about civilian casualties and the handling of protests.
However, Nigeria remains one of America’s key partners in Africa, especially in the fight against terrorism and organized crime. The U.S. has provided training, intelligence support, and equipment to the Nigerian military in its counterterrorism operations, though concerns persist about accountability and the misuse of force.
Huizenga’s comments appear aimed at easing concerns that Trump’s rhetoric signaled a shift toward direct intervention. “From my discussions and understanding, the goal is to use diplomatic and economic pressure to stop the violence, not to send troops,” he said.
Trump’s remarks have drawn mixed reactions. Some Christian groups in the U.S. and Nigeria welcomed the comments as a sign that Washington was finally taking the issue seriously. Others, however, cautioned that framing Nigeria’s violence purely in religious terms overlooks the country’s complex security challenges, which are driven by poverty, competition for land, weak governance, and corruption.
Diplomatic observers also warned that harsh U.S. measures such as broad economic sanctions could harm ordinary Nigerians rather than the violent actors they are meant to target. They called instead for targeted sanctions against individuals or entities directly linked to violence.
Some Nigerian analysts described Trump’s comments as politically charged, given his campaign to return to the White House. “It’s part of his broader message to appeal to Christian conservatives in the U.S.,” one analyst noted. “Nigeria has become a talking point in that narrative.”
While Huizenga’s assurance rules out the likelihood of a military intervention, his emphasis on sanctions suggests that Washington could take a tougher stance toward Nigeria’s handling of security and religious freedom.
For many Nigerians, the focus now is on whether international attention will translate into meaningful pressure on the government to protect lives and curb the cycle of violence.
If Trump or any future U.S. administration imposes sanctions, it could target specific individuals, security officials, or groups accused of human rights violations. Such measures may include travel bans, asset freezes, or restrictions on foreign aid.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, Huizenga’s comments highlight a key message: the world is watching, but help may come through diplomacy, not war.
