For the first time since focusing attention on Nigeria’s insecurity, United States President Donald Trump has acknowledged that Muslims are also victims of killings in the country.

Trump, who has repeatedly claimed that Christians are being specifically targeted in violent attacks, made the admission during an interview with The New York Times. Despite the concession, he maintained that Christians remain the primary victims.

“I think that Muslims are being killed also in Nigeria. But it’s mostly Christians,” Trump was quoted as saying.

Reacting to Christmas Day attacks on terror targets in Nigeria, the U.S.

President suggested that further American military strikes could follow.

“I’d love to make it a one-time strike… But if they continue to kill Christians, it will be a many-time strike,” he said.

When reminded that his own Africa adviser had earlier stated that Islamic State and Boko Haram militants were killing more Muslims than Christians, Trump reiterated his position, insisting that while Muslims were also affected, Christians bore the brunt of the violence.

In late October, Trump warned that Christianity was facing what he described as an “existential threat” in Nigeria. He also threatened possible U.S. military intervention, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christian communities.

As part of his response, Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing persistent religious violence and alleged government inaction.

Following the move, the Federal Government of Nigeria dispatched a high-powered delegation to the United States to clarify the country’s security challenges and address concerns raised by the U.S. administration.

Subsequently, senior American officials visited Nigeria to obtain first-hand assessments of the security situation and ongoing efforts to combat insurgency and terrorism.