United States Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, representing California’s 51st District, has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s recent remarks threatening unilateral military intervention in Nigeria. Trump had warned that the U.S. Defense Department was preparing for possible action if Nigeria “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
Speaking during a congressional hearing on Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern, Jacobs described Trump’s comments as reckless, dangerous, and misleading. She stressed that attributing Nigeria’s violence solely to religious conflict distorts reality, as both Christians and Muslims are victims of insecurity.
Jacobs, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, emphasized that Congress has not authorized the use of force in Nigeria, making any unilateral military action illegal. She urged the Nigerian government to do more to protect its citizens while warning that Trump’s rhetoric risks inflaming tensions and worsening instability.
The Nigerian government has also rejected Trump’s narrative, describing it as “dangerous and inaccurate,” and warning that such framing could fuel more violence. Civil society groups in Nigeria echoed concerns, noting that insecurity in the country stems from complex issues including banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes — not simply religion.
