Trump’s Pressure on Nigeria Just Saved Hundreds of Christians’ Lives
30th September 2026
Even amidst tragic news that at least 18 Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt state of Plateau were killed by Fulani jihadists over the past week, there is reason for hope: The nation’s government has finally bowed to pressure and taken concrete action against the plague of anti-Christian violence.
Because of pressure started by President Donald Trump’s campaign to stop the persecution of Christians, the government of Nigeria finally responded with commensurate force to stop these latest attacks in the Middle Belt from turning into something much worse, likely saving hundreds of Christians’ lives.
In the middle of September, local reporters covering persecution in Nigeria—like Masara Kim with Truth Nigeria—began documenting a massive build-up of Fulani jihadists in central Plateau state, one of the epicenters of persecution against Christians in the country. This was not another routine gathering of dozens of attackers, but nearly a thousand armed fighters amassing in the area, coming from all different regions in Nigeria.
The rationale for this terrorist build-up is murky, but it could have been related to reports that a major Fulani militant leader had just been arrested by local forces, or to general attempts to destabilize the country during a presidential election season. Whatever the reason, it appeared that the largest attack on this community in years would be launched imminently.
For context, the last time a coordinated attack of such magnitude occurred was Christmas Eve 2023, when militias devastated 25 villages, leaving almost 200 Christians dead, with pastors beheaded and churches burned to the ground. Over the following months, more than a thousand were killed as the communities were left to fend for themselves, effectively defenseless.