Federal Government affirms commitment to religious harmony, counters U.S. President’s assertions of widespread persecution, and pledges continued engagement with Washington to foster understanding
The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly rejected comments made by United States President Donald Trump alleging the large-scale killing of Christians in the country and designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
In a statement issued early Saturday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government described the claims as “inaccurate” and “not reflective of realities on the ground.” The statement stressed that Nigerians of different faiths have coexisted peacefully for decades, sharing spaces to live, work, and worship together.
“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 ministry said.
While acknowledging global concern for human rights and religious freedom, the government insisted that President Trump’s assertions painted a distorted picture of Nigeria’s security landscape. The ministry reaffirmed that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria remains unwavering in its fight against terrorism and its efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony and protect the rights and lives of all citizens.
The statement further noted that the government will continue to engage with the United States to promote mutual understanding and collaboration on regional peace and security issues.
President Trump had, on Friday night, announced via his Truth Social account—later amplified by the White House’s official X handle—that Nigeria had been designated as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing what he termed an “existential threat to Christianity.”
“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 stated.
He cited alarming figures to back his claim, alleging that over 3,000 Christians had been killed in Nigeria out of 4,476 worldwide. Trump further urged Congress to act swiftly, directing Congressman Riley Moore, Chairman Tom Cole, and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the issue and report back to him.
“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, U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore had 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 nation “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.” Moore also recommended the suspension of arms sales to Nigeria pending evidence of genuine efforts by the government to end religiously motivated violence.
However, the Nigerian government has consistently denied such allegations. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in an interview with CNN earlier in the week, dismissed the suggestion that attacks in Nigeria are primarily targeted at Christians.
“Some of the claims made by officials of the United States are based on faulty data and assumptions that the victims of violence are largely Christians,” Idris said. “Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians, and they also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country.”
Meanwhile, in a related development, the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, called for stronger protection of vulnerable communities and greater accountability in addressing violence across Nigeria. The committee expressed its support for ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government to improve security and promote peace in all regions.
As global attention continues to focus on religious freedom and human rights in Nigeria, the government insists that it remains committed to transparency, collaboration, and evidence-based engagement with international partners to ensure a clearer understanding of the country’s complex security realities.
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