Speaking at a White House briefing on Friday, President Trump said the U.S. “will not stand idle while Christians face extermination anywhere in the world,” describing Nigeria as a “priority case” on America’s watchlist for religious persecution.
“We are monitoring Nigeria closely. If these reports are true, the United States will act — swiftly and decisively — to protect innocent lives,” Trump said.
The comments come days after the U.S. Department of State re-added Nigeria to its list of countries of concern over alleged violations of religious freedom. Trump also ordered the Pentagon to conduct a rapid assessment of security conditions in northern Nigeria and submit recommendations for “potential humanitarian or military interventions.”
Nigeria Responds
In a statement released late Friday, Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, rejected Trump’s allegations as “baseless and deeply regrettable.”
“Nigeria remains a secular nation governed by a constitution that guarantees freedom of religion and worship. The government has no policy or tolerance for persecution of any group,” the statement read.
He added that Nigeria’s military and security forces are already battling extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, which have targeted both Christians and Muslims in the northeast.
Analysts Warn of Diplomatic Fallout
Foreign policy experts say Trump’s remarks could reignite tensions between Washington and Abuja, and potentially strain relations between the U.S. and several African nations.
Dr. Ngozi Okon, an international affairs analyst based in Abuja, warned that “any talk of military intervention without credible investigation could be seen as a violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty.”
She added that cooperation, not confrontation, remains the best approach to tackling Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
Background
Nigeria has faced years of communal and religious violence, particularly in the north, where militant groups have targeted villages and churches. The government insists it is working with regional and international partners to restore peace.
However, human rights groups continue to document incidents of violence that disproportionately affect Christian communities, calling for stronger global pressure on the Nigerian government.
As diplomatic channels heat up, observers say both countries may need to balance domestic politics with international law to prevent further escalation.
