The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has again launched a blistering attack on the Nigerian government, accusing it of allowing what he described as the “genocide” of Christians across the country.
Speaking on a conservative radio programme on Friday an interview later amplified by Fox News Trump claimed that thousands of Christians were being massacred in Nigeria and said the government had failed to curtail extremist violence.
“The whole thing is a disgrace,” Trump said. “They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s a genocide, and I’m really angry about it.”
The US President emphasised that his administration’s earlier designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern was still in force, warning that Washington could take further action.
Trump also threatened to cut off American aid to Nigeria, saying the US was “giving a lot of subsidies” that could be withdrawn.
Threat of Military Action Repeated
Trump repeated a warning he issued last month that the US could consider military intervention against Islamist militant groups if Nigeria’s government “does not do more” to protect Christian communities.
His comments come amid heightened diplomatic engagement between Washington and Abuja this week.
US War Department Pushes Nigeria For Action
On Friday, the US Secretary of the War Department said Washington was working “aggressively” with Nigeria to end attacks on Christians carried out by what he called jihadist terrorists.
“Yesterday, I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country,” he posted on X.
“Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”
High-Level Meetings in Washington
The post followed a Thursday engagement between Congressman Riley M. Moore and a top-level Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
The Nigerian delegation also included:
Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police
Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney General of the Federation
Gen. Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff
Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence
Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to ONSA
Senior diplomatic officials from the Nigerian Embassy in Washington
According to Congressman Moore, the meeting facilitated a “frank, honest, and productive discussion” on the ongoing killings of Christians, counterterrorism operations, intelligence support, and security assistance.
Moore said the US “stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria,” adding that “President Trump does not make idle threats.”
He insisted that he would continue to monitor the situation and maintain pressure on Nigeria to accept US cooperation to end extremist violence.