By Obinna Uballa
United States President Donald Trump has again alleged that Christians in Nigeria are facing mass killings, describing the situation as an existential threat to Christianity in the country.
The New Diplomat had reported that the U.S. government has already submitted contingency plans for possible military action in Nigeria.
In a video released by the White House on X on Wednesday, Trump claimed that “thousands and thousands” of Christians were being killed, attributing the violence to what he called “radical Islamists.”
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands and thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” he said.
Trump also announced that he was classifying Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” describing the designation as a legal position taken in response to alleged religious persecution.
“When Christians or any group is slaughtered as is happening in Nigeria – 3,100 compared to 4,476 worldwide – something has to be done,” he said. He directed Congressman Riley Moore, Chairman Tom Cole and members of the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the situation and report back to him “immediately.”
He added, “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries. We are ready, willing and able to save our great Christian population around the world. The killing of Christians is not going to happen.”
Trump had earlier warned that the US could take military action in Nigeria if the alleged killings were not halted. His comments were first circulated on his Truth Social platform and later shared on the White House account.
The “country of particular concern” designation is part of US legal frameworks used to respond to governments seen to be violating religious freedoms or other fundamental rights. Depending on the statute applied, it can lead to sanctions, suspension of aid or other diplomatic measures.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims of state-backed persecution. In a statement issued by President Bola Tinubu on November 1, the government said Nigeria “stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.”
The statement noted that Nigeria’s security challenges affect communities “across faiths and regions,” and insisted that religious tolerance remains a core part of the country’s identity.
