Trump Releases Fresh Stand On Attacks On Christians In Nigeria

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United States President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim that Christians in Nigeria are being killed on a large scale, describing the situation as an “existential threat” to Christianity in the country.

Naija News reports that Trump made the remarks in a video statement posted on the White House’s official X account on Wednesday. The U.S. President alleged that “thousands and thousands” of Christians had been “slaughtered by radical Islamists,” calling for swift action from American lawmakers.

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,”
Trump said in the clip.

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Nigeria Listed as “Country of Particular Concern”

Trump announced that he had invoked a U.S. legal provision to formally classify Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” (CPC) — a designation applied to nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom.

“I am hereby making Nigeria a country of particular concern. That’s a legal definition,”
Trump declared.

The President said the scale of reported violence demanded “immediate action,” adding that he had directed members of the U.S. Congress to investigate the matter and provide recommendations “without delay.”

“When the Christians or any such group is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria — 3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide — something has to be done,”
he said.
“I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter and to report back to me — and I mean like immediately.”

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Warns of U.S. Response

Trump emphasized that the United States would not “stand by” while such alleged atrocities continue, warning that America was “ready, willing, and able” to protect Christians globally.

“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries,”
he said.
“We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world. This is not going to happen. The killing of Christians is not going to happen.”

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Background and Nigerian Government’s Reaction

The statement follows Trump’s earlier warning that he could authorize U.S. military intervention in Nigeria if the reported killings are not stopped — a move that sparked strong reactions from Nigerian officials.

Last week, Trump’s administration officially designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act, citing alleged religious persecution.

However, the Nigerian government has firmly rejected the allegations, describing them as “false, exaggerated, and politically motivated.” Officials insist that the country’s security challenges are multi-dimensional, involving criminal gangs, insurgents, and ethnic conflicts, rather than targeted attacks on religious grounds.

The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has maintained that the government “protects all citizens equally, regardless of faith,” and has urged Washington to rely on verified data from credible sources.

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Context

Nigeria has faced persistent insecurity in recent years, including attacks by bandits, terrorist groups, and communal militias, especially in the North-West and North-Central regions. While several human rights groups have documented religiously motivated violence, independent experts often caution against framing the crisis solely along religious lines, citing overlapping ethnic, economic, and political factors.