National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu convened an emergency meeting on Monday with Nigeria’s service chiefs and intelligence heads at the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja, following a controversial statement by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting possible military intervention in Nigeria.

The closed-door session focused on assessing the implications of Trump’s remarks and coordinating a national response.

The meeting was triggered by Trump’s Saturday post on Truth Social, where he accused the Nigerian government of enabling the “mass slaughter” of Christians and warned of halting U.S. aid and launching a “fast, vicious” assault if the killings continued. Though no specific incidents were cited, the post echoed claims of religious persecution that have circulated in right-wing circles abroad.

A security source familiar with the discussions said the gathering aimed to “dissect the ramifications of the U.S. leader’s statement and align on a national strategy,” including contingency planning and diplomatic engagement. Trump’s claim that the Pentagon is preparing to “act in Nigeria to tackle Islamic militancy” has raised concerns over potential escalation and strained bilateral ties.

Independent monitors, including the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, have documented thousands of deaths in Nigeria’s northeast and Middle Belt since 2009, largely attributed to Boko Haram, banditry, and communal violence. These attacks have affected both Muslim and Christian communities, with no verified evidence of systematic targeting based on faith.

Nigerian officials have rejected the genocide narrative. Information Minister Mohammed Idris previously dismissed similar accusations as “misleading” and based on “faulty data,” stressing that the violence impacts multiple religious groups and that over 1,200 arrests have been made this year in counter-terror operations.

While the U.S. has designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom issues—potentially affecting $1.2 billion in aid—Abuja continues to emphasize its partnership with Washington in counter-terrorism efforts. No formal outcome from the security summit has been released, though Ribadu’s office pledged updates through official channels.

The episode has intensified scrutiny of U.S.-Nigeria relations, with Trump’s rhetoric amplifying calls from figures like Representative Riley Moore for investigations into alleged complicity. Nigerian officials are reportedly proposing a direct dialogue between President Bola Tinubu and Trump to reaffirm shared commitments to combating extremism and preserving diplomatic stability.