US President, Donald Trump, has renewed his sharp criticism of the Nigerian government, accusing it of failing to stop widespread killings of Christians and describing the situation as nothing short of “genocide.”
Trump made the remarks during a conservative radio interview on Friday, comments later replayed by Fox News.
He alleged that extremist groups were killing Christians “by the thousands” and claimed the Nigerian authorities were not doing enough to confront the violence.
The president referenced his administration’s previous decision to list Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for alleged religious persecution, warning that Washington could escalate its response if conditions do not improve.
“Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace,” Trump said during the programme.
“They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s a genocide, and I’m really angry about it.”
He also suggested that the United States may cut off financial assistance to Nigeria.
“We give a lot of subsidies to Nigeria. We’re going to end up stopping,” he added.
Trump went further, repeating an earlier threat that the US could pursue military action against Islamist militant groups if Nigeria “does not do more” to safeguard Christian communities.
On Friday, DAILY GAZETTE reported that the United States War Department said it was already working closely with Nigerian officials to address what it labelled “jihadists terrorists” attacks on Christians.
In a message posted on X, the US Secretary of the War Department said:
“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 announcement followed a Wednesday meeting in Washington, D.C., between Congressman Riley M. Moore and a high-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Members of the delegation included 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; Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at ONSA; Acting Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Nuru Biu; and Paul Alabi of the Embassy’s Political and Economic Section.
According to the War Department’s statement, the engagement “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 also noted that the Nigerian delegation outlined their concerns regarding counterterrorism efforts, the protection of vulnerable groups, and broader security challenges across the country.
The release said Congressman Moore “clearly stated that the United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria,” and emphasised that “as President Trump made abundantly clear, the United States will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution.”
It added pointedly that “President Trump does not make idle threats.”
The statement further noted 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 his own 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.
