Nigeria’s Army Chief Vows Relentless Campaign Against Insurgents Amid US Warning Over Religious Violence

Abuja, November 7: Nigeria’s newly appointed army chief, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has pledged to intensify military operations against Islamist insurgents in the country’s northeast, following warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump of possible military action if Nigeria fails to curb violence against Christians.

Speaking during his first operational visit to Borno State, the heart of Nigeria’s 16-year insurgency, Shaibu said the army would redouble its efforts to eliminate extremist threats once and for all.

“The Nigerian Army under my command will leave no stone unturned,” Shaibu told troops stationed in Borno on Friday. “We will pursue this fight with renewed energy, clear focus, and absolute dedication to end this menace once and for all.”

The visit came just days after Washington placed Nigeria on its “Country of Particular Concern” list for alleged violations of religious freedom.

President Trump, in remarks over the weekend, said he had instructed the U.S. Defense Department to prepare for possible “fast” military action should Nigeria fail to act against the ongoing persecution and killings of Christians in the country.

General Shaibu’s visit to Borno aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to strengthen counterterrorism operations nationwide.

The army chief urged soldiers to maintain relentless pressure on militant groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have terrorized the region for over a decade.

“We must sustain momentum, enhance our coordination, and ensure the safety of every Nigerian citizen,” Shaibu said, pledging better logistics, welfare, and intelligence support for frontline troops.

Despite several successful offensives in recent years, Nigeria continues to face sporadic attacks on military installations and civilian communities in Borno and surrounding states.

Boko Haram, founded in 2002, seeks to establish a strict Islamist state in Nigeria’s northeast, while ISWAP, a splinter faction, has gained ground by targeting both security forces and civilians.

The 16-year conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced more than 2 million people, according to UN estimates.

Analysts say the U.S. warning adds fresh diplomatic pressure on Abuja to demonstrate measurable progress in tackling both terrorism and religiously motivated violence, as Washington re-evaluates its security cooperation with African allies.

The Nigerian government has not yet officially responded to the U.S. threat of potential intervention.