Nigeria Not a Country of Persecution – FG Defends Religious Freedom After Trump’s Outburst
The Federal Government has dismissed claims by US President Donald Trump that Christians are being subjected to “mass slaughter” in Nigeria, insisting the country protects all citizens regardless of religion.
Trump, in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday, labelled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged killings of Christians, saying Christianity faced an “existential threat.”
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” he wrote, adding that the US “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening.” He also directed Congressman Riley Moore and House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole to investigate the matter.
Reacting on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Nigeria remains committed to defending the rights and safety of all its people.
“The Federal Government has noted the recent statement by the United States of America on religious freedom in Nigeria,” the statement read. “We remain committed to tackling violent extremism driven by vested interests across the West African and Sahel regions.”
The statement added: “We mourn all victims of violent extremism and salute our armed forces who continue to confront cowardly foes. Nigeria will continue to defend all citizens, irrespective of race, creed or religion.”
It further stressed that Nigeria, like the US, celebrates its religious diversity. “Nigeria is a God-fearing country where we respect faith, tolerance, diversity and inclusion, in concurrence with the rules-based international order,” it said.
Meanwhile, former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Bola Akinterinwa, described President Bola Tinubu as a more cautious leader than Trump, urging the public to avoid politicising the issue.
“The US has been – and we trust will always remain – a close ally,” the statement concluded. “President Tinubu’s government will maintain its steadfast commitment to all partners who believe in genuine peace, stability, freedom and democracy.”