The United States President, Donald Trump, has again voiced strong criticism of the Nigerian government over what he described as the “genocide” of Christians in the country.
Speaking Friday on a conservative radio programme — remarks later highlighted by Fox News, which captured the exchange — Trump claimed that thousands of Christians were being killed in Nigeria and accused the government of failing to curb extremist violence.
The US President reiterated his administration’s earlier designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution, saying Washington may take further action if the situation does not improve.
“Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace,” Trump said during the interview. “They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s a genocide, and I’m really angry about it.”
He warned that the US could cut off aid to Nigeria, citing American financial support to the country.
“We give a lot of subsidies to Nigeria. We’re going to end up stopping,” he added.
Trump also repeated his threat of possible military intervention against Islamist militant groups if the Nigerian government “does not do more” to protect Christian communities.
SaharaReporters had reported on Friday that the United States War Department said it was working closely with the Nigerian government to end what it describes as “jihadists terrorists” attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Secretary of the War Department, who stated on X: “Yesterday, I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country.”
“Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists,” he posted on Friday.
The statement followed a meeting on Wednesday between Congressman Riley M. Moore and a delegation of senior Nigerian government officials led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu during their visit to Washington, D.C.
Members of the delegation included Ribadu; Her Excellency Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation Chief Lateef Olasunkami Fagbemi, SAN; Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. EAP Undiendeye; Special Adviser to ONSA Idayat Hassan; Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani; Acting CDA, Embassy of Nigeria, Ambassador Nuru Biu; and Paul Alabi of the Embassy’s Political and Economic Section.
According to the statement, the meeting “allowed for a frank, honest, and productive discussion about the ongoing persecution of Christians and ongoing terrorist threats in Nigeria and opportunities for strengthened cooperation and coordination between the United States and Nigeria to end the bloodshed.”
It added that the Nigerian delegation “shared their government’s challenges and concerns regarding counterterrorism, security assistance, protection of vulnerable communities, and ongoing issues involving violence across Nigeria.”
The release noted that Congressman Moore “clearly stated that the United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria,” adding that “as President Trump made abundantly clear, the United States will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution.”
It further stressed that “President Trump does not make idle threats.”
It added that Moore “will continue monitoring new developments and pushing the Nigerian government to accept the open hand of cooperation to stop the ongoing persecution and violence against Christians and combat the threat terrorist groups pose to the Nigerian population.”
Moore also issued a detailed statement after the meeting.
“Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria,” he said.
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