WASHINGTON (BN24) — U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of the Nigerian government, accusing it of committing “genocide” against Christians amid rising violence from extremist groups. Speaking on a conservative radio show Friday, Trump condemned the Nigerian government for its failure to curb attacks on Christian communities, claiming that thousands have been killed in what he described as an ongoing genocide.
“Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace,” Trump said during the interview. “They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s a genocide, and I’m really angry about it.”
Trump’s remarks, which were later highlighted by Fox News, come amid heightened international concerns over religious persecution in Nigeria. The U.S. government has already designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to the widespread violence against religious minorities, particularly Christians, who are often targeted by Islamist militant groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State affiliates.
The former president reiterated his administration’s stance on Nigeria, warning that the U.S. could take further actions if the situation does not improve. We give a lot of subsidies to Nigeria. We’re going to end up stopping,” Trump added, referring to U.S. financial aid to the country. He also renewed his threat of military intervention, stating that the U.S. would take action against jihadist groups if the Nigerian government “does not do more” to protect its citizens.
Trump’s comments reflect growing frustration in Washington over the Nigerian government’s response to the escalating violence. On the same day, a U.S. Department of War official confirmed that American officials had been working closely with Nigeria’s leadership to address the growing threat posed by jihadist groups, which have increasingly targeted Christian communities in northern and central parts of the country.
Secretary of the War Department said he had met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor to discuss the ongoing violence, with a focus on coordinating efforts to combat extremism and protect vulnerable populations. The official posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”
The U.S. government’s concerns were echoed during a meeting between Congressman Riley M. Moore and senior Nigerian officials in Washington earlier this week. Among the Nigerian delegation were key figures such as National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu. The discussions centered on Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, the protection of religious communities, and strengthening cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria to address the violence.
Following the meeting, Moore released a statement reaffirming the U.S. commitment to combating religious persecution in Nigeria. “The United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria,” Moore said. “As President Trump made abundantly clear, the United States will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution.”
The statement from Moore also noted that the Nigerian delegation had shared the country’s ongoing challenges in tackling terrorism, security threats, and the protection of vulnerable communities. The U.S. government has made it clear that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and push Nigeria’s government to accept international cooperation to stop the bloodshed.
The situation in Nigeria remains dire, with ongoing reports of violent attacks on Christian villages, religious leaders, and schools. The international community, led by the U.S., has called on Nigerian authorities to take more decisive action to protect all citizens, regardless of their religion.
Trump’s comments come at a time of increasing scrutiny on Nigeria’s security forces, which have been criticized for their inability to contain the violence. The country has struggled to curb the influence of extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, which have ravaged the northeast and other regions, causing widespread displacement and loss of life.
As tensions continue to rise, both the U.S. and Nigerian governments face mounting pressure to address the humanitarian crisis and prevent further atrocities. The situation in Nigeria remains a point of contention in U.S.-Nigeria relations, with critics demanding more effective action from the Nigerian government to safeguard its citizens from the violence that has plagued the country for years.
