The Federal Government has rejected claims by US President Donald Trump alleging widespread killings of Christians in Nigeria, dismissing his designation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
In a statement on Saturday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said the allegations “do not reflect the situation on the ground,” stressing that “Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.” She added that while the government “appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom,” Trump’s claims were inaccurate.
Under President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria “remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people,” the statement noted. The ministry also affirmed that the country would “continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and ongoing peace efforts.”
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Trump, in a Truth Social post, alleged an “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria, claiming thousands of Christians were being killed by “radical Islamists,” and urged US lawmakers to review arms sales to Nigeria.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris told CNN that the violence in the country is not exclusively religious, saying, “Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians. They also target Muslims, especially in the northern part of the country.”
The controversy follows calls by US lawmakers and the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs for stronger protection of vulnerable communities and greater accountability in addressing violence across Nigeria.