President Donald Trump has designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing what he described as the “mass slaughter” of Christians across the West African nation.
In a statement posted on Truth Social on Friday, Trump warned that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” alleging that radical Islamist groups were behind widespread killings, church burnings, and mass displacement.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump wrote. “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
The former president said he had directed Representatives Riley Moore (R-W.Va.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.), along with members of the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate and report back on the situation.
Rights groups have long warned of escalating religious violence in Nigeria’s northern and central regions, where Islamist groups like Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militant herders frequently attack Christian communities. According to Open Doors, nearly 70% of Christians killed globally for their faith last year were in Nigeria.
Entire villages have been razed, worshippers murdered during services, and thousands displaced. In June, militants attacked the village of a bishop days after he testified before Congress, killing more than twenty people.
Mark Walker, President Trump’s nominee for ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, told Fox News Digital that between 4,000 and 8,000 Christians are killed annually in Nigeria.
“This isn’t about appropriations or politics — this is about human life. We’re talking about boys and girls, about women being kidnapped and horrific things happening. All of us should raise our voices.”
Walker added that he intends to work closely with Senator Marco Rubio and the US Secretary of State to strengthen US advocacy for victims of religious persecution.
The White House also acknowledged a rise in anti-Christian violence across sub-Saharan Africa, warning that jihadist movements are taking advantage of political instability and weak borders.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, recently said that “since 2009, over 50,000 Christians in Nigeria have been massacred,” and “over 20,000 churches and Christian schools have been destroyed.” He called the violence “a crisis of religious genocide” and urged tougher US action.
However, Nigerian officials have rejected claims of religious genocide. Information Minister Mohammed Idris told Fox News Digital that such reports are “very misleading,” insisting that the violence affects both Christians and Muslims. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga echoed the stance, saying, “Christians are not targeted. We have religious harmony in our country.”
Despite the denials, the killings continue. A priest from Plateau State told reporters that many rural Christian communities live in constant fear, saying “When the world stays silent, the killers return.”
Melissa Enoch
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