- Nigeria rejects Donald Trump’s claim that the country should be labelled a Country of Particular Concern.
- The Federal Government says allegations of Christian persecution do not reflect the real situation in Nigeria.
- Nigeria insists that religious harmony and interfaith coexistence remain priorities under President Bola Tinubu.
- Government says it will continue engaging the United States for clarity and improved diplomatic understanding.
The Federal Government has pushed back against former U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration naming Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over alleged persecution of Christians. Trump made the statement on Friday, claiming that thousands of Christians in Nigeria are being killed and urging U.S. lawmakers to take action.
According to Trump, Christianity in Nigeria is facing an “existential threat,” and he accused what he described as “radical Islamists” of carrying out widespread killings. He also called on U.S. congressmen to investigate the situation and report back to him. However, Nigeria has rejected the assertion.
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In a statement issued in Abuja by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government described Trump’s claims as inaccurate and not reflective of Nigeria’s reality.
“Nigeria notes the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’ While Nigeria appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, these claims do not reflect the situation on the ground,” the statement read.
The Nigerian government stressed that people of different religious beliefs have lived and worshipped together peacefully for years and that the narrative of targeted religious killings is misleading.
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The government further emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is actively tackling terrorism, improving security, and promoting interfaith unity across the country.
“Nigeria remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people,” the statement added.
The statement concluded by saying Nigeria will continue to engage constructively with the United States to ensure mutual understanding regarding regional security issues.
