Donald Trump has classified Nigeria as a “country of concern”, alleging that extremist Islamic groups are carrying out widespread killings of Christians in the African country.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, the US President declared that Christianity confronts a severe existential danger in Nigeria and that extremists are perpetrating large-scale killings.
The President instructed American officials to urgently examine the situation and provide him with their findings.
Mr Trump referenced statistics indicating 3,100 Christian deaths in Nigeria, though he provided neither the origin of these figures nor the period they covered.
He wrote: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a “COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN”.
Later in the message, the US President added: “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!”
This designation places Nigeria alongside North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and China as nations flagged for religious freedom breaches.
Such a classification represents the stage preceding potential penalties, which might include prohibiting all assistance except humanitarian support.
Donald Trump has classified Nigeria as a ‘country of concern’
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Nigerian authorities have strongly disputed these allegations.
Experts note that whilst Christian communities have been attacked, most casualties from armed groups occur amongst Muslims in the country’s northern regions where Islamic populations predominate and violence is most frequent.
President Trump’s action comes after Republican senator Ted Cruz encouraged evangelical Christian supporters to pressure Congress regarding alleged systematic Christian killings in Nigeria.
The extremist organisation Boko Haram, notorious for abducting over 270 female students in 2014, features prominently in earlier alerts from American and global authorities.
The President instructed American officials to urgently examine the situation and provide him with their findings
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TRUTHSOCIAL
A 2021 assessment by the non-partisan US Commission on International Religious Freedom stated the organisation had perpetrated severe breaches of religious liberties.
The commission’s findings revealed that Islamist organisations have caused more than 37,000 deaths in Nigeria since 2011.
Religious buildings and areas with Christian residents have suffered attacks previously, though specialists indicate that Boko Haram’s violence predominantly affects Muslim communities, with regular assaults on security forces, armed services and state institutions.
Additional militant organisations reportedly active in Nigeria include Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), which split from Boko Haram.
Nigerian authorities have strongly disputed Donald Trump’s allegations
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Nigeria’s religious composition consists of approximately equal proportions, with Muslims concentrated in northern territories and Christians elsewhere.
American authorities presently recommend their nationals reconsider visiting Nigeria.
They cite dangers from terrorist activity, criminal behaviour, abductions and militant groups.
British Government guidance echoes these warnings for UK citizens.
