U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed sharp criticism of the Nigerian government, accusing it of failing to stop deadly attacks on Christian communities and warning that the United States may take further action if the killings continue.
Speaking on a conservative radio programme, Trump described the situation as “a disgrace” and “a genocide,” and suggested that Washington could cut aid to Nigeria. His words: “Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace. They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s a genocide, and I’m really angry about it. And we pay, you know, we give a lot of subsidies to Nigeria. We’re going to end up stopping.”
He also repeated earlier claims that he had instructed the U.S. military to prepare options for potential intervention against Islamist militant groups in the country.
Nigeria strongly rejected Trump’s allegations. Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar said it is “impossible” for the government to support religious persecution, insisting that victims of violence include Christians, Muslims, and traditional worshippers alike. Officials warned that any foreign action must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, calling Trump’s comments misleading and inflammatory.
Security analysts note that while extremist groups and armed militias continue to carry out attacks in parts of Nigeria, data does not support claims of a targeted Christian genocide, though it is hard to convince Chriatian communities in the Middle-Belt of the country, who bear the brunt, otherwise.
Experts warn that Trump’s rhetoric risks heightening internal tensions and straining U.S.–Nigeria relations at a time when the country is grappling with complex and overlapping security crises.
