US President Donald Trump has repeated claims that Christian communities in Nigeria are facing targeted attacks carried out by “radical Islamists.”
In a video message released by the White House on X, the President described the situation as a global emergency and said Christianity in Nigeria was facing an “existential threat.”
“Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” he said.
Mr Trump announced that the United States had officially designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” under US law, a classification used when governments are accused of being involved in or failing to prevent serious violations of religious freedom.
“When Christians or any such group are being slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria, something has to be done,” he said.
The President called on members of Congress, including Riley Moore and Tom Cole, to urgently investigate the crisis and report back to him.
Mr Trump also said the United States was “ready, willing and able” to act to protect Christians globally, adding that the killing of Christians “will not be allowed.”
He has previously suggested he could authorise the deployment of the US Department of War to Nigeria if the violence continues.
In response, Nigeria government rejected the US President’s characterisation.
In a statement earlier this month, President Bola Tinubu insisted the country remains a democracy that guarantees religious freedom for all faiths.
He said the government regularly engages both Christian and Muslim leaders to address security challenges nationwide and argued that portraying Nigeria as religiously intolerant “does not reflect our national reality.”
Nigeria has faced years of insecurity involving armed groups, banditry, and extremist violence, particularly in some northern regions. Analysts say attacks have affected both Muslim and Christian communities, depending on location.