The U.S. administration has issued a stark warning to Nigeria, threatening direct military intervention if the West African nation does not halt violence against Christian communities. The president announced he has directed the Pentagon to prepare contingency plans for potential operations.
In a statement posted online, the U.S. leader declared that if the Nigerian government continues to “allow the killing of Christians,” all American aid and assistance would be immediately severed. The message further warned that the U.S. might intervene militarily to “completely wipe out” the groups responsible for what it termed “horrible atrocities.”
This escalation follows the formal designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” by the U.S. government the previous day, citing a failure to protect religious minorities. The Nigerian president had earlier pushed back against that accusation.
The U.S. commander-in-chief emphasized that any potential American action would be decisive. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet,” the statement read.
Other Domestic and Political Developments
Immigration Enforcement: Federal immigration agents were reported conducting operations in major cities including Chicago and Los Angeles over the Halloween holiday, resulting in several arrests. The ongoing crackdown has seen the deployment of military personnel to assist in some areas, leading to clashes with protesters.
Campaign Trail: Former President Barack Obama headlined a rally in Virginia for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, using the event to critique the current administration’s policies and rhetoric while advocating for his party’s vision.
Infrastructure Strain: The prolonged federal government shutdown, now in its second month, is severely impacting air travel. Nearly half of the nation’s busiest airports are facing critical shortages of air traffic controllers, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, causing widespread flight delays. The New York region is reportedly among the hardest hit.
Vice-Political Remarks: The Vice President reaffirmed past comments linking American patriotism with Christianity, remarks that have previously drawn criticism from some political observers.