The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s Armed Forces to confront the country’s persistent security challenges, amid renewed warnings from former U.S. President Donald Trump over alleged attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
Vice President Kashim Shettima restated President Bola Tinubu’s resolve on Friday during a special Jumma’a Prayer at the National Mosque in Abuja, held ahead of the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
January 15 is observed annually by the Federal Government to honour the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN). The military recently renamed the occasion from Armed Forces Remembrance Day to Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, reflecting its dual purpose of celebrating serving personnel while remembering fallen heroes.
Speaking at the prayer session, Shettima paid tribute to soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, as well as the safety of citizens and their property. He assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration remains resolute in equipping and empowering the armed forces to overcome the nation’s security threats.
The government’s renewed pledge comes against the backdrop of comments by Trump, who warned that the United States could carry out additional airstrikes in Nigeria if what he described as continued killings of Christians persist.
According to Reuters, Trump made the remarks in an interview with The New York Times while responding to questions about a Christmas Day U.S. military strike in Nigeria. The U.S. military had said the operation targeted Islamic State militants in northwestern Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government.
At the time, Nigerian authorities described the strike as a joint counterterrorism operation, stressing that it was aimed solely at terrorist groups and “had nothing to do with religion.”
“I’d love to make it a one-time strike,” Trump was quoted as saying. “But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike.”
When challenged with reports that Islamist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have killed more Muslims than Christians, Trump acknowledged Muslim casualties but insisted that Christians were being targeted disproportionately.
In recent months, Trump has repeatedly warned that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria and has suggested possible U.S. military intervention if the Nigerian government fails to curb violence against Christian communities.
Nigeria, however, has consistently rejected claims of systematic religious persecution. While acknowledging long-standing security challenges—including insurgency, banditry, and kidnappings—the Federal Government maintains that victims of violence include both Christians and Muslims, and that the conflict is driven by terrorism and criminality rather than religion.
As Nigeria grapples with ongoing insecurity, officials continue to stress the need for national unity and international cooperation in combating extremist violence, while firmly rejecting narratives that frame the crisis along religious lines.
About the Author
