Nigeria Rejects Trump’s Claims of Religious Persecution Amid U.S. Watch List Designation

Tensions Rise as Nigeria Responds to Trump’s Claims on Religious Persecution

Lagos, Nigeria — In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, Nigeria has firmly rejected former President Donald Trump’s assertion that Christianity in the country faces an “existential threat.” This response comes just hours after Nigeria was placed on the U.S. State Department’s watch list of “countries of particular concern” regarding religious freedom.

In a post on social media, Trump alleged that thousands of Christians are being killed in Nigeria, attributing the violence to “radical Islamists.” He declared Nigeria a “COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN,” claiming that the situation warranted urgent action.

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu swiftly countered these claims, emphasizing that the nation’s constitution protects the rights of all faiths. “The characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” Tinubu stated in a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter). He highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to foster religious freedom and cooperation among Christian and Muslim communities.

Tinubu further asserted that since taking office in 2023, his administration has worked closely with religious leaders to promote peace and tolerance. “Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” he added.

Despite Nigeria’s reassurances, Trump doubled down on his accusations, threatening military action against what he termed “Islamic terrorists” in Nigeria. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians,” he warned in a subsequent post.

While the situation remains tense, experts note that the rise of Islamist insurgency in Nigeria has affected both Muslim and Christian communities, complicating the narrative of religious persecution. Attacks have surged in recent years, leading to widespread fear and displacement among various groups.

As the international community watches closely, the potential for further diplomatic fallout looms large, with both nations navigating a complex landscape of religious and political tensions.