By DAYO ADESULU
U.S. Warns Terror Groups in Nigeria: “America Has Had Enough”
The United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has delivered one of the most hard-hitting public statements yet on the continued killings of Christians in Nigeria. In a lengthy declaration that has reverberated across diplomatic, security and religious spheres, Hegseth accused Boko Haram, ISWAP and Fulani militants of carrying out a systematic genocide, insisting that America will no longer watch “while Christians are slaughtered.”
He lamented that over 125,000 Christians have been killed since 2009 and declared that the world’s most powerful military has now activated a new strategic directive aimed at confronting the perpetrators.
“You Were Wrong” — Hegseth Accuses Terror Groups of Targeting Christians With Impunity
Hegseth opened his statement with a direct warning to the jihadist groups responsible for years of massacres in Nigeria’s Northeast and Middle Belt.
“To Boko Haram, ISWAP, and the Fulani militants: You have targeted Christians because you believed no one would come to their defence. You were wrong,” he said.
He followed with an even stronger threat:
“The United States military is the most lethal fighting force in human history, and we are coming for you. There will be no negotiations. There will be no warnings. There will be no sanctuary.”
Hegseth said the U.S. military has been tracking the movements of these groups for years.
“Our satellites see you. Our drones hunt you. Our operators train for you,” he declared.
“This Is Genocide, Not Farmer-Herder Conflict”
In a detailed breakdown, Hegseth insisted that the violence against Christians in Nigeria has been intentionally misrepresented by international media and some governments.
He said:
“Since 2009, 125,000 Christians have been killed for their faith in Nigeria. Let me repeat that, one hundred twenty-five thousand Christians murdered.”
According to him, 2025 alone has recorded an average of 32 Christian deaths per day, while more than 19,000 churches have been destroyed.
He dismissed narratives that blame climate change, farmer-herder conflict or resource competition.
“This is not farmer-herder conflict. This is not climate change. This is not resource competition. This is genocide.”
Hegseth cited specific examples:
— “When militants attack a Catholic church on Pentecost Sunday and slaughter 40 worshippers, that is not a land dispute.”
— “When armed jihadists raid Christian villages on Christmas Day… that is not ethnic tension.”
— “When terrorists chant ‘Allahu Akbar’ while burning families alive, that is not complexity, that is evil.”
U.S. Blames International Media and Nigerian Authorities for “Complicity”
Hegseth accused major global news outlets of deliberately avoiding the term “Christian genocide.”
“If you read The New York Times, CNN, or The Guardian, you will never see the word ‘Christian.’”
He said ignoring the identity of the victims is enabling “the largest religious persecution campaign in modern history.”
The criticisms extended sharply to Nigerian authorities.
“The Nigerian government’s complicity is equally clear,” Hegseth said, citing an October 2025 case where a pastor warned the Nigerian Army about an impending Fulani militant attack.
He added:
“Hours later, 13 Christians were murdered… No apology was issued. No arrests were made.”
“America Has Had Enough”
Hegseth confirmed that President Trump has redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, reinstating a classification removed in 2021.
He noted that:
“President Trump has had enough. I have had enough. And America has had enough.”
Following the redesignation, Hegseth said the U.S. military received a direct order to prepare operational plans to protect Christians and eliminate the terrorist networks behind the killings.
Suspension of Aid to Nigeria
In an unprecedented move, Hegseth announced immediate suspension of military and financial aid to Nigeria.
“To the Nigerian government: All military and financial aid to your government is suspended effective immediately. If you will not protect your Christian citizens, we will, with or without your permission.”
“This Is Righteous, Not Reckless”
Hegseth defended the forthcoming U.S. actions.
“I know the difference between necessary force and reckless aggression. What we are preparing to do in Nigeria is not reckless, it is righteous.”
He framed the decision as a moral obligation rooted in America’s founding principles.
“This is America’s calling… to eliminate evil wherever it threatens those who cannot defend themselves.”
“We Are His Answer”
Hegseth ended with another sweeping declaration targeted at jihadist groups.
“The killers should know this, American warriors do not sleep… When you hear the Reaper overhead, you may fall to your knees and beg for divine intervention. I have news for you, God heard your victims’ prayers first. We are His answer.”
He concluded:
“The world is watching to see if America still has the courage of its convictions… They are about to get their answer.”
Signed:
Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of War
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