Nigeria committed to religious harmony, not facing Christian genocide – FG replies Trump

The Federal Government has dismissed comments by United States President Donald Trump alleging widespread killings of Christians in Nigeria and designating the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

In a statement released on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government described Trump’s claims as inaccurate and unrepresentative of Nigeria’s realities.

“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 statement read.

While acknowledging global concern for human rights and religious freedom, the ministry said the allegations were misleading.

It maintained that under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria remains committed to combating terrorism, fostering interfaith harmony, and protecting the rights of all citizens.

The statement further noted 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, in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, later shared on the White House’s X handle, claimed that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria and announced the country’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

“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,’” Trump said.

Citing alarming figures, he added, “When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide), something must be done!”

He also directed U.S. lawmakers, including Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole, to investigate the matter.

Trump’s comments followed recent calls by U.S. lawmakers such as Riley Moore, who described Nigeria as “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian” and urged the suspension of arms sales to Nigeria until the government demonstrates greater commitment to ending violence.

Reacting earlier in the week, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told CNN that the claims by some U.S. officials were “based on faulty data and assumptions.”

“Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion.”

“They target Christians, and they also target Muslims, especially in the northern part of the country,” Idris said.

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.

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