The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump alleging widespread killings of Christians in the country and designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.”
In a statement issued on Saturday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government described Trump’s comments as misleading and unreflective of Nigeria’s realities.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by U.S. 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 statement read.
While the government said it “appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom,” it maintained that the allegations were inaccurate. Under the leadership of Bola Tinubu, Nigeria “remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening inter-faith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people,” the ministry added.
The statement 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.”
On Friday night, President Trump announced via his Truth Social account, subsequently shared on the White House’s 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle, that he had designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing what he described as an existential threat to Christianity in the country:
“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 stated.
He claimed that 3,100 Christians had been killed in Nigeria compared to 4,476 globally, urging U.S. lawmakers to take immediate action. “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria,” he said.
His declaration follows similar calls from some U.S. lawmakers, including Congressman Riley Moore, who had urged Washington to reconsider arms sales to Nigeria over alleged religious persecution.
However, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had earlier dismissed such claims, insisting that terrorism in Nigeria is not religiously motivated.
“Some of the assertions made by certain U.S. officials are based on faulty data and wrong assumptions that victims of violence are largely Christians,” Idris said. “Yes, Christians have been attacked, but so have Muslims. These terrorists do not discriminate. They target everyone, especially in the northern parts of the country.”
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