By Attah Ede
The Federal Government, on Saturday reacted to US President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” dismissing his claims of widespread persecution of Christians as inaccurate, misleading and unacceptable.
In a post in his X handle @realDonaldTrump, the US President alleged that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria, stressing that thousands of Christians are being killed.”
He blamed radical Islamists for what he described as “‘ mass slaughter’ in the country.
Reacting in a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the allegations do not reflect the true situation in Nigeria.
The spokesperson of the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated that Nigerians of all religious backgrounds have historically lived, worked, and worshipped together in peace.
He maintained that despite the fact that the Nigerian government welcomes international concern for human rights and religious freedom, the claims are “misleading and contrary to the government’s sustained efforts to promote peace and unity.”
“Nigeria remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ebienfa stated.
He further said that Nigeria would continue engaging with Washington to foster better understanding of the country’s security realities and regional dynamics.
In recent months, international interest in Nigeria’s religious tensions has grown. Earlier in September, US Senator Ted Cruz proposed a bill aimed at protecting “persecuted” Christians in the country.
President Bola Tinubu, on September 30, dismissed such accusations as baseless, asserting that Nigeria’s strength lies in the “faith and resilience of its people.”
Meanwhile, on October 14, the Nigerian Senate established a 12-member ad hoc committee to draft a comprehensive response to international concerns over alleged persecution of Christians.
On Friday Trump had raised the alarm over what he described as an “existential threat to Christianity” in Nigeria.
He particularly alleged that thousands of Christians are being killed by radical Islamist groups.
In a strongly worded post on his official handle, @realDonaldTrump, the U.S. President said he is officially designating Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern”, citing the unwarranted mass killings of Christians across the nation.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” President Trump stated.
He noted the scale of violence in Nigeria, stating that 3,100 Christians have been killed in Nigeria, compared to 4,476 worldwide.
Trump therefore described the situation as a global moral test that demands immediate action.
“When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide), something must be done!” he declared.
The U.S. President said he has directed Congressman Riley Moore, in collaboration with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate the matter and report back to him promptly.
“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,
“The United States cannot remain passive while Christians and other vulnerable groups are being massacred in Nigeria and elsewhere.
“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 stated.
