Trump orders military to get ready for 'action' against Islamist militants in Nigeria

US President Donald Trump has told the military to get ready for action in Nigeria to deal with Islamist militant groups. He claims the government has failed to protect Christians.

Trump didn't specify which killings he meant, but some right-wing US groups have been talking about a genocide against Nigeria's Christians in recent weeks and months.

Groups that keep track of violence say there's no proof that Christians are dying more than Muslims in Nigeria. The country has about an equal split between followers of these two religions.

Someone who advises Nigeria's president told the BBC that any military action against the jihadist groups should happen together.

Daniel Bwala said Nigeria would welcome US help to tackle the Islamist insurgents but pointed out that it was a "sovereign" country.

He also said the jihadists didn't target members of a specific religion and that they had killed people from all faiths, or none.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu has stressed there is religious tolerance in the country and said the security challenges affected people "across faiths and regions".

Trump wrote in a social media post on Saturday that he had told the US Department of War to get ready for "possible action".

He cautioned that he might deploy troops to Nigeria "guns-a-blazing" if the Nigerian government didn't step in, and stated that all aid to what he termed "the now disgraced country" would stop.

Trump added: "If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!"

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth responded to the post by writing: "Yes sir.

"The Department of War is getting ready for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who commit these awful atrocities."

Trump said he had labeled Nigeria a "Country of Particular Concern" due to the "existential threat" Christians there face. He claimed "thousands" had died, but didn't back this up with facts.

The US State Department uses this label to allow sanctions on countries that "violate religious freedom".

After Trump's statement, Tinubu said his government would work with the US and other countries to keep all religious groups safe.

"Calling Nigeria intolerant doesn't match what's happening here," the Nigerian leader stated.

Jihadist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province have caused chaos in north-eastern Nigeria for over ten years resulting in thousands of deaths. Yet, Acled, an organization that studies political violence worldwide, reports that Muslims make up the majority of these casualties.

In central Nigeria regular clashes occur between Muslim herders and farming communities, who are often Christian, over water and grazing land access.

Deadly back-and-forth attacks have also killed thousands. However, both sides have committed atrocities, and human rights groups say there's no proof that Christians have been targeted more than others.

Trump often brags about keeping the US out of wars during his time in office, and paints himself as a president who makes peace.

But the Republican leader now faces more and more people at home from the right wing, who are pointing out what's happening in Nigeria.