U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Saturday that he has instructed the Pentagon to prepare for "possible action" in Nigeria if its government continues to allow the killing of Christians, adding that the U.S. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to that country in such case.

Donald Trump

Truth Social

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Saturday that he has instructed the Pentagon to prepare for "possible action" in Nigeria if its government continues to allow the killing of Christians, adding that the U.S. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to that country in such case.

This comes as Trump announced on Friday that Nigeria has been designated a "country of particular concern" (CPC) over the alleged mass slaughter of Christians in the country, requesting the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to look into the matter and report back to him.

This comes as Trump announced on Friday that Nigeria has been designated a "country of particular concern" (CPC) over the alleged mass slaughter of Christians in the country, requesting the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to look into the matter and report back to him.

This designation under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act is reserved for governments participating in or tolerating "particularly severe violations of religious freedom" and allows sanctions, including restrictions on all non-humanitarian aid, and other penalties on Nigeria.

The Associated Press

National Review

This designation under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act is reserved for governments participating in or tolerating "particularly severe violations of religious freedom" and allows sanctions, including restrictions on all non-humanitarian aid, and other penalties on Nigeria.

Last month, House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Riley Moore (R-W. Va.) sent a letter calling on the Trump administration to take "immediate action" on the matter, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced a bill requiring Nigeria to be declared a CPC.

Breitbart

Newsweek

Last month, House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Riley Moore (R-W. Va.) sent a letter calling on the Trump administration to take "immediate action" on the matter, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced a bill requiring Nigeria to be declared a CPC.

The situation for Christians in Nigeria has drawn the attention of Christian watchdogs and center-to-right pundits amid reports that the country accounts for more than two-thirds of all Christians killed for their faith last year despite <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://verity.news/story/2025/nigeria-rejects-us-lawmakers-christian-genocide-claims">claims that religious differences alone do not explain violence in Nigeria</a>.

Al Jazeera

FOX News

The situation for Christians in Nigeria has drawn the attention of Christian watchdogs and center-to-right pundits amid reports that the country accounts for more than two-thirds of all Christians killed for their faith last year despite claims that religious differences alone do not explain violence in Nigeria.

In response to these latest developments, Nigeria dismissed Trump's claims as an exaggeration, reaffirming its commitment to religious freedom and to fight extremism, and said that U.S. help would welcome as long as its respect Nigeria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Guardian Nigeria

Reuters

In response to these latest developments, Nigeria dismissed Trump's claims as an exaggeration, reaffirming its commitment to religious freedom and to fight extremism, and said that U.S. help would welcome as long as its respect Nigeria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a post on Truth Social on Friday that Nigeria has been designated a "country of particular concern" (CPC) over the alleged mass slaughter of Christians in the country, requesting the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to look into the matter and report back to him.

Truth Social #

U.S. President Donald Trump announced in a post on Truth Social on Friday that Nigeria has been designated a "country of particular concern" (CPC) over the alleged mass slaughter of Christians in the country, requesting the U.S. House Appropriations Committee to look into the matter and report back to him.

The Associated Press #3280

National Review #

Nigeria was first designated a CPC under the first Trump administration in 2020 over alleged "systematic violations of religious freedoms," with Biden-era Secretary of State Antony Blinken lifting the designation in 2023. Other CPCs include China, Nicaragua, North Korea, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Daily Wire

Daily Wire #2313

Nigeria was first designated a CPC under the first Trump administration in 2020 over alleged "systematic violations of religious freedoms," with Biden-era Secretary of State Antony Blinken lifting the designation in 2023. Other CPCs include China, Nicaragua, North Korea, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

This comes as last month, House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Riley Moore (R-W. Va.) sent a letter calling on the Trump administration to take "immediate action" on the matter. The month prior, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced a bill requiring Nigeria to be declared a CPC.

Breitbart #6247

Newsweek #4008

This comes as last month, House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Riley Moore (R-W. Va.) sent a letter calling on the Trump administration to take "immediate action" on the matter. The month prior, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced a bill requiring Nigeria to be declared a CPC.

Al Jazeera #4366

FOX News #5337

On Saturday, the Federal Government of Nigeria said in a statement through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Trump's claims do not reflect the situation on the ground, though reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with the U.S. to fight extremism.

Punch Newspapers

Punch Newspapers #

Reuters #

On Saturday, the Federal Government of Nigeria said in a statement through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Trump's claims do not reflect the situation on the ground, though reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with the U.S. to fight extremism.

Trump's designation of Nigeria as a CPC is a long overdue action against religious persecution and the systematic Christian genocide in the country after the Biden administration shamefully ignored this crisis. This year alone, radical Islamists have massacred over 7,000 Christians. The U.S. has a moral duty to help African Christians.

Trump's designation of Nigeria as a CPC is a long overdue action against religious persecution and the systematic Christian genocide in the country after the Biden administration shamefully ignored this crisis. This year alone, radical Islamists have massacred over 7,000 Christians. The U.S. has a moral duty to help African Christians.

The Daily Signal

The Daily Signal #

Christian Persecution in Nigeria Demands American Response

The Washington Times

The Washington Times #

Christian Genocide Nigeria Real

Trump's Nigeria designation relies on false claims of Christian genocide that distort complex security realities. Jihadist groups like Boko Haram actually kill more Muslims than Christians, and the violence stems from ethnic tensions, economic disparities and weak governance rather than systematic religious persecution targeting one faith.

Trump's Nigeria designation relies on false claims of Christian genocide that distort complex security realities. Jihadist groups like Boko Haram actually kill more Muslims than Christians, and the violence stems from ethnic tensions, economic disparities and weak governance rather than systematic religious persecution targeting one faith.

TRT Afrika

TRT Afrika #

US President Trump declares Nigeria 'country of particular concern' over Christian 'genocide' claims

Premium Times Nigeria

Premium Times Nigeria #

Trump designates Nigeria Country of Particular Concern over false Christian genocide claim

There's a 21% chance that Nigeria will experience a civil war before 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 21% chance that Nigeria will experience a civil war before 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

Will the following countries experience a civil war before 2036?

Olympia de Maismont/AFP/Getty Images

Trump Designates Nigeria 'Country of Particular Concern' Over Alleged Christian Persecution

Olympia de Maismont/AFP/Getty Images

Trump Designates Nigeria 'Country of Particular Concern' Over Alleged Christian Persecution

Nigeria

United States of America

Religion

Christianity

Freedom & human rights

Violence & assaults

The U.S. has a moral duty to help African Christians — and these are long overdue actions against religious persecution and the systematic Christian genocide in the country after the Biden administration shamefully ignored this crisis. This year alone, radical Islamists have massacred over 7,000 Christians.

The U.S. has a moral duty to help African Christians — and these are long overdue actions against religious persecution and the systematic Christian genocide in the country after the Biden administration shamefully ignored this crisis. This year alone, radical Islamists have massacred over 7,000 Christians.

Trump is relying on false claims of Christian genocide that distort complex security realities in Nigeria. Islamist groups like Boko Haram actually kill more Muslims than Christians, and the violence stems from ethnic tensions, economic disparities and weak governance rather than systematic religious persecution targeting one faith.

Trump is relying on false claims of Christian genocide that distort complex security realities in Nigeria. Islamist groups like Boko Haram actually kill more Muslims than Christians, and the violence stems from ethnic tensions, economic disparities and weak governance rather than systematic religious persecution targeting one faith.

Trump Instructs Pentagon to Prepare for 'Possible Action' in Nigeria Over Alleged Christian Persecution

Trump DesignatesInstructs NigeriaPentagon 'Countryto ofPrepare Particularfor Concern'Possible Action' in Nigeria Over Alleged Christian Persecution

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Trump Instructs Pentagon to Prepare for 'Possible Action' in Nigeria Over Alleged Christian Persecution

Trump DesignatesInstructs NigeriaPentagon 'Countryto ofPrepare Particularfor Concern'Possible Action' in Nigeria Over Alleged Christian Persecution

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