By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Nigerian Government has dismissed remarks by United States President, Donald Trump, alleging persecution against the Christian faith in the country, and declaring the West African nation a “Country of Particular Concern.”
Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement on Saturday said the claims do not reflect the situation on the ground.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by US President Donald Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’
“These claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully,” the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa said.
The government noted that while it “appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom,” the allegations were inaccurate.
Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria “remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people”, the statement noted further.
The ministry emphasised that Nigeria would “continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.”
Trump had on Friday announced in his Truth Social that he had designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing what he described as an existential threat to Christianity in the country. The post was later shared on the White House’s X handle
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.
“I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of particular concern’ — But that is the least of it,” Trump said.
Citing alarming figures, the US president added, “When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!”
Trump called on key members of Congress to take immediate action.
“I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter, and report back to me,” he said.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries.
“We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the world!,” Trump added.
Last month, US lawmaker Riley Moore urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take diplomatic action against what he described as the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria, calling the country “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.”
Moore also called for the suspension of arms sales to Nigeria until the government demonstrates a tangible commitment to ending the violence.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking to CNN earlier in the week, rejected claims that Nigerian terrorists specifically target Christians.
“Some of the claims made by some officials of the United States are based on faulty data and some assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians.
“Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians. They also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country,” the minister noted.
