Nigeria’s government has denied claims by the US president that it is not preventing “horrific atrocities” against Christians.
Published November 1, 2025
US President Donald Trump has threatened to carry out attacks in Nigeria in response to alleged anti-Christian violence and said he has directed the recently renamed Department of the Army to “prepare for possible action.”
In a social media post on Saturday, President Trump said the United States would immediately cut off all aid to the African country “if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
Recommended stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
Trump did not specify which groups or the alleged “atrocities” he was referring to, but added: “The United States could very well become the now-infamous ‘shooter’ nation to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing such horrific atrocities.”
“I hereby direct the War Department to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be as swift, vicious and sweet as terrorist thugs attack our precious Christians! Warning: The Nigerian government had better act fast!” he wrote.
The Nigerian government did not immediately respond to President Trump’s threat.
The social media post came a day after the US president announced that Nigeria would be added to the State Department’s list of “countries of special concern,” set up to monitor religious persecution around the world.
In recent months, right-wing US lawmakers and other prominent figures have claimed that the violent conflict in Nigeria is part of a “Christian genocide.”
Human rights groups are calling on the Nigerian government to do more to address insecurity in a country that has seen deadly attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups, but experts say claims of a “genocide of Christians” are false and short-sighted.
Hours before Trump’s threat, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a statement stressing that his government “remains committed to security challenges that affect our people across faiths and regions.”
“Characterizing Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect the reality of our country, nor does it take into account the government’s consistent and sincere efforts to protect the freedom of religion and belief of all Nigerians,” Tinubu said on Saturday.
“Nigeria opposes and does not encourage religious persecution. Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees that protect citizens of all faiths,” the statement continued.
“Our administration is committed to working with the U.S. government and the international community to deepen understanding and collaboration on the protection of communities of all faiths.”
Kimyebi Ebienfa, Spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to protect all its citizens.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria continues to protect all its citizens, regardless of race, creed or religion,” Ebienfa said in a statement on Saturday.
“Like America, Nigeria has no choice but to celebrate its greatest strength: its diversity.”
