The Federal Government has dismissed claims made by United States President Donald Trump alleging widespread killings of Christians in Nigeria and his declaration of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
In a statement released on Saturday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government described Trump’s remarks as “inaccurate” and “not reflective of the realities on the ground.”
“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 Nigeria remains steadfast in ensuring peace and security for all citizens.
Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the statement added, Nigeria “remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.”
The ministry also noted that the government 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 Truth Social post shared on the White House’s X handle on Friday night, had claimed that Christianity was under siege in Nigeria and announced that the country had been designated 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,” Trump stated.
“I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of particular concern’ — But that is the least of it,” he continued.
The U.S. president cited alarming statistics to justify his declaration, saying, “When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!”
Trump further urged key members of the U.S. Congress to take immediate action on the issue.
“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,” he said.
“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!” he added.
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Trump’s remarks followed a recent appeal by U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore, who called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to suspend arms sales to Nigeria until the government demonstrated a concrete commitment to ending religious violence.
“Nigeria has become the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian, and the United States cannot stand idly by,” Moore wrote, accusing Nigerian authorities of failing to protect vulnerable communities.
However, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in an interview with CNN, dismissed the notion that terrorists in Nigeria specifically target Christians.
“Some of the claims made by some officials of the United States are based on faulty data and some assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians,” he said.
“Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians. They also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country,” Idris added.
Meanwhile, the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, called for greater accountability and stronger protection of vulnerable communities affected by insecurity in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government, however, maintains that it continues to make significant progress in counterterrorism efforts and remains committed to upholding freedom of religion and peaceful coexistence among all citizens.