United States President Donald Trump has maintained that Washington may consider military action in Nigeria over what he described as the mass killing of Christians, despite strong denials from the Nigerian government.
In a statement released by the White House and shared on his Truth Social platform, Trump announced that Nigeria had been redesignated a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” due to what he called “large-scale killings of Christians” by extremist groups.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump said.
“I am hereby making Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, that is a legal definition.”
He warned that Washington could cut foreign aid or even launch a military intervention if the situation did not improve.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and other countries. We are able and willing to defend Christians. The killing of Christians will not continue,” he added.
Trump directed key U.S. lawmakers to immediately investigate the reported killings and make recommendations for further action.
“Something has to be done, I mean immediately,” he said, describing the violence as “Christian genocide.”
Reacting to the allegations, the Nigerian government dismissed Trump’s claims as misleading, insisting that insecurity in the country affects people of all faiths.
President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria “stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.”
He explained that his administration has maintained active engagement with religious leaders across all faiths since assuming office in 2023, stressing that “the characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality.”
The U.S. president’s comments have drawn diplomatic reactions from global powers. China warned against any form of interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs, while the European Union reaffirmed its commitment to partnership and dialogue with Abuja.
“As Nigeria’s comprehensive strategic partner, China stands by Nigeria as it leads its people on the development path suited to its national conditions,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.
Similarly, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, told journalists in Lagos that Europe’s engagement with Nigeria is based on “long-standing partnership and shared values,” not external political pressure.