United States President Donald Trump has officially designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing what he described as ongoing attacks and persecution of Christians across the country.
The announcement was made in a statement shared via Trump’s Truth Social account and reposted on the White House’s official X handle on Friday.
Trump Raises Alarm Over Killings of Christians
In his statement, Trump claimed that thousands of Christians have been killed in Nigeria, accusing “radical Islamist groups” of carrying out widespread violence.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump wrote.
“I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’ Something must be done immediately.”
He added that the United States stands ready to defend persecuted Christians globally, saying,
“We cannot stand by while such atrocities occur in Nigeria and other countries. America will always stand with the persecuted.”
Background on the Designation
According to the Family Research Council, a “country of particular concern” designation is a formal classification made by the US government—typically through the Secretary of State—for nations accused of severe violations of human rights or religious freedom.
The label often precedes diplomatic measures, including sanctions or restrictions on military assistance.
US Lawmakers Call for Tougher Action
Trump’s statement follows renewed pressure from US lawmakers. Earlier in October, Congressman Riley Moore urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to redesignate Nigeria as a country of concern, citing what he called “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians.”
Moore alleged that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in 2025 alone, with more than 19,000 churches attacked or destroyed since 2009. He also claimed that “corrupt cells within the Nigerian government” may be complicit in some of the attacks.
Similarly, Senator Ted Cruz recently accused Nigerian officials of “ignoring or enabling” the violence, calling for stronger US diplomatic intervention.
Nigerian Government Responds
Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, dismissed the US claims, describing them as “misleading and based on faulty data.”
In a statement issued through his media aide Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris argued that the violence in Nigeria affects citizens of all faiths.
“Yes, Christians are victims, but so are Muslims and others. These are acts of criminality, not religious persecution,” he said.
He warned that framing the violence as a “Christian genocide” could deepen ethnic and religious divisions within the country.
Ongoing Debate Over Religious Freedom
Nigeria was first placed on the US “country of particular concern” list in 2020 during Trump’s presidency, but the designation was later removed by President Joe Biden in 2021 — a move that drew criticism from Christian advocacy groups.
Trump’s latest decision marks a major escalation in international attention on Nigeria’s security and religious freedom challenges.
Related: Niger: 50 Abducted Students Escape From St Mary’s Catholic School, Reunite With Families
