WASHINGTON, D.C./ABUJA, Nigeria: U.S. President Donald Trump said over the weekend that the United States may send troops or launch air strikes in Nigeria to stop what he described as widespread killings of Christians there.

When asked if this could include ground forces or air attacks, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, "Could be… They're killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria… We're not going to allow that to happen." He made the remarks while returning to Washington from Florida.

His comments came a day after the U.S. added Nigeria back to its list of "Countries of Particular Concern" over religious freedom issues — a list that also includes China, Russia, Myanmar, North Korea, and Pakistan.

In Nigeria, officials pushed back. A spokesman for President Bola Tinubu said the U.S. cannot launch military action in Nigeria without the government's approval, calling Trump's claims "misleading" and suggesting he was using a forceful tone to push talks.

He said Trump referenced outdated information from the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency more than a decade ago.

Experts and local leaders say the violence in Nigeria is not simply religious. Both Christians and Muslims are victims, often depending on where attacks occur — especially in northern regions where Boko Haram and armed criminal groups are active.

Joseph Hayab, a Christian leader in Kaduna state, rejected the idea of targeted persecution but said the government must do more to protect communities.

Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges, with clashes involving insurgents and armed gangs that emerged from long-running conflicts between herders and farmers.

Researchers note that the situation is complex and that geography — not religion — usually determines who is attacked.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's military has stepped up operations, including air strikes, and President Tinubu recently replaced top security officials to strengthen the response.