Following military actions by the U.S. against ISIS affiliates in Nigeria, claims regarding the persecution of Christians in the country have gained attention, particularly from former President Donald Trump. In an October 31 post on Truth Social, Trump cited a report from Open Doors indicating that 3,100 Christians were killed in Nigeria, compared to 4,476 globally, during the year ending October 2023. This assertion has been met with skepticism from various media outlets, which argue that the situation is more complex than presented.

Sky News Africa correspondent Yousra Elbagir noted on 'MS NOW Reports' that the Nigerian government has publicly acknowledged its cooperation with the U.S. in military strikes but emphasized that it does not prioritize the protection of one religious group over another. Elbagir stated that data does not support claims of Christians being disproportionately targeted by terrorists, highlighting that communities affected by groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) often include both Christians and Muslims. She referenced a recent bombing in a mosque in Maiduguri, which resulted in casualties among worshippers.

Radical Islamist groups in northern Nigeria, including ISWAP and Boko Haram, have been responsible for numerous violent acts, including murders and kidnappings, affecting both Christians and non-radical Muslims. According to the International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law, over 7,000 Christians were reported killed in Nigeria by August 10, 2025. However, the BBC and CNN have reported that the majority of victims of jihadist violence are Muslims, with political violence monitoring organizations indicating that while there are attacks on Christians, the overall data suggests a broader impact on Muslim communities.

CNN's analysis pointed out that while there have been significant attacks on Christians, the violence is not limited to them, with many Muslims also suffering from extremist violence. The outlet cited Nigerian human rights advocate Bulama Bukarti, who stated that extremist groups have killed many Muslims, often in greater numbers than Christians. Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) indicated that from January 2020 to September 2025, 317 Christians were killed in targeted attacks compared to 417 Muslims, although the religious affiliation of the majority of over 20,400 civilian deaths during that period was not specified.

Trump has called for Congress to investigate Nigeria, designating it as a Country of Particular Concern, and warned that the U.S. might take military action if the Nigerian government does not address the violence against Christians. This rhetoric raises questions about the implications of militaristic responses to complex humanitarian issues, particularly in a region where violence affects diverse communities regardless of religious affiliation.