Trump's warning to Nigeria offers hope to nation's persecuted Christians

But the Christians Fox News Digital has talked to, while welcoming Trump's support, say they don't want U.S. Troops to be sent into Nigeria to stop the widespread murder of their co-religionists in one of the worst-affected areas, the Middle Belt of the West African nation.

Asking to be only identified by his first name due to fear of reprisals, Pastor Fred told Fox News Digital from Plateau State, "For the last 20 years we've been trying to raise an alarm because the voices of people have been silenced. Hopefully, by doing this, it'll challenge the Nigerian government and those with influence and power to make a difference because lives are being lost."

Despite Secretary of War Pete Hegseth posting a warning earlier this month that, "The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities," but Pastor Fred, whose church has been attacked multiple times by Islamic militants, is firmly against any outside military action.

"I find that quite uncomfortable, as a Nigerian, imagining soldiers coming in. (I'm) very uncomfortable with it, but I'm more uncomfortable with the fact that people are being slaughtered, and the government is doing very little too."

A leading bishop in Nigeria's Plateau State, who didn't want to give his name because of his safety, told Fox News Digital of his relief about the president's comments, "I feel very delighted. I'm so happy. It's a very, very welcome development."

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom states that about 46% of Nigeria's population is Christian, and multiple sources claim that in the bishop's Plateau State, 90% of the population is said to be Christian. Yet wave after wave of radicalized Muslim Fulani nomadic tribesmen have mounted repeated attacks on Christians there, often decapitating children and seizing their land.

In December 2023, the bishop said his experience was typical "They [Fulani militants] killed 17 people. We thought it was over. While we went to do the burial, they attacked more than 25 villages in Plateau State, killing more than 100 people, including children."

Fox News Digital is in possession of documented cases where, while attacking Nigerian Christians, Fulani militants have shouted, "Death to all Christians." A Nigerian lawyer Fox News Digital talked with this week said conditions have been indescribably tough, saying "the comments by President Trump are cheering to me and also to many Nigerians, especially from the Middle Belt, a region where thousands have been killed, maimed, pregnant women having their bellies ripped open, their farmlands destroyed and their ancestral lands taken over by the vicious Fulani militants."

The lawyer told Fox News Digital, "President Trump's intervention is timely, and it should be done fast, before the Nigerian government turns to Russia or China." The lawyer didn't want his name published as he fears for his safety.

"The Nigerian government have not cared much about the plight of these people," the lawyer added. He hoped "that the U.S. will act in different ways to free the minority Christians from the hegemony of the Fulani militants."

Nigeria's minister of information and national orientation told Fox News Digital, "The federal government of Nigeria has taken note of recent remarks by U.S. President Donald J. Trump regarding the state of religious freedom and security in Nigeria. While we appreciate any expression of concern for the well-being of Nigerians, we wish to clarify that Nigeria remains firmly committed to protecting the rights, safety and freedom of worship of all its citizens - Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths."