THE Presidency has announced that President Bola Tinubu would meet with United States President Donald Trump in the coming days to address claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, revealed this in a post on X on Saturday, November 1, following Trump’s recent remarks accusing the Nigerian government of neglecting attacks on Christians.
According to Bwala, the meeting will focus on strengthening counterterrorism collaboration and correcting misconceptions about the nature of terrorist attacks in Nigeria.
“Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interests in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity. President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorising the sale of arms, and President Tinubu has adequately utilised that opportunity in the fight against terrorism, with massive results to show for it.
“As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all faiths, those would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders when they meet in the coming days, either in the State House or White House,” Bwala wrote.
Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said President Bola Tinubu directed newly appointed service chiefs to deliver tangible results, assuring them of full government backing in addressing emerging security challenges.
In a post on X on Sunday, November 2, Onanuga shared part of Tinubu’s Thursday address to the service chiefs, noting that the president was “well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America.”
Tinubu, in the excerpt, cautioned that security threats were constantly evolving and urged the military leadership to respond with decisive action.
“Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South.
“We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head,” the post quoted the president as saying.
Tinubu urged the service chiefs to be innovative and deliver tangible results, stressing that Nigerians expected outcomes, not excuses.
The president also called on the officers to act with innovation, courage, and foresight to stay ahead of those threatening the nation’s peace. He vowed that his administration would provide full support to ensure the success of their mandate, emphasising that the security crisis that began in 2009 must not be allowed to continue.
The post came amid renewed international attention on Nigeria’s security challenges.
The ICIRreports that Trump warned on Saturday, November 1, that the US might take military action against Nigeria and suspend aid to the country over alleged persecution of Christians.
On Friday, October 31, Trump designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern, citing allegations of widespread persecution of Christians. His statement came after weeks of claims by US lawmaker Riley Moore, who accused Nigeria of “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” and described it as the world’s deadliest place for believers.
The Nigerian government, however, has consistently dismissed these allegations as unfounded.
THE Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that one of its trains along the Warri-Itakpe route has derailed, leading to an immediate suspension of operations along the route.
The incident occurred just four days after services resumed on the corridor, according to a statement issued on Sunday, November 2, by the NRC.
Reports indicate that before the Kaduna–Abuja train accident on August 26, the NRC had suspended the Warri–Itakpe train service on August 2 following a series of breakdowns and technical issues.
It was further reported that on Sunday, October 26, the NRC announced the official resumption of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service. Operations were scheduled to resume officially on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, following the earlier suspension.
However, just four days after operations resumed, the NRC suspended services again following another derailment.
In a statement signed by its Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, the NRC explained that the incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, and involved two of the train’s seven coaches at Kilometre 212+8m in Agbor, Delta State.
Preliminary investigations, according to the statement, suggest that the derailment might have been caused by suspected track vandalism.
“We are pleased to confirm that all passengers on board were safely evacuated to Agbor, and everyone has been fully accounted for. No casualties or injuries were recorded.
“Our recovery team, supported by security personnel, has been at the site since last night, carrying out recovery operations. These efforts are progressing steadily and are expected to be completed soon,” Opeifa highlighted.
He said train services along the corridor had been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to allow for a thorough security and safety audit of the track and related infrastructure.
He expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers and the public, assuring that normal operations would resume once the route is confirmed safe.
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has vowed to end all aid to Nigeria and deploy the United States military to fight terrorists in Africa’s most populous nation.
In a post on Truth Social on Saturday night, Trump said should President Bola Tinubu-led administration fail to stop Christians’ killings, he would order a swift and vicious attack on Nigeria.
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
The ICIRreported that Trump added Nigeria to countries on watchlist for Christian genocide on Friday, October 31.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” he said.
He vowed that Nigeria would be added to the US “Countries of Particular Concern” list for nations accused of violating religious freedom.
According to the State Department’s website, the Countries of Particular Concern list also includes nations such as China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, and Pakistan, among others.
The US President said he had asked US Representatives Riley Moore and Tom Cole, along with the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate the issue and report their findings to him.
Responding, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dismissed the claims.
“The federal government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by US President Donald Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’.
“These claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully,” said the ministry.
The government said while it appreciated global concern for human rights and religious freedom, the allegations were inaccurate and misrepresented the country’s realities.
The Nigerian government said under Tinubu’s leadership, the country remained committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.
The statement added that Nigeria would continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious liberty, describing claims that the country is intolerant or hostile to Christians as inaccurate and inconsistent with the nation’s realities.
In a statement he issued on Saturday, Tinubu said Nigeria stood firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty and continued to maintain open engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders across the country.
He argued that the portrayal of Nigeria as religiously intolerant did not reflect the reality in the country, adding that the government’s efforts to safeguard freedom of belief for all Nigerians remained consistent and sincere.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” Tinubu stated.
The president reaffirmed that Nigeria’s Constitution protects citizens of all faiths and that his administration was working closely with the United States government and the international community “to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”
Last month, US lawmaker Riley Moore had urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take diplomatic action over what he described as the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria, calling it “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.” He also advocated suspending arms sales to Nigeria until measurable progress was made in curbing violence.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had dismissed claims that terrorists in Nigeria deliberately target Christians while speaking earlier in the week on CNN.
“Some of the claims made by certain officials of the United States are based on faulty data and assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians,” Idris said, adding that “Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians, and they also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country.”
The claims of Christians genocide in Nigeria stemmed from failures of successive governments to protect citizens, with thousands of people dying yearly from terrorists, bandits and other criminals.
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force to investigate Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for reportedly promising cash rewards to supporters whose wards secure victory for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the forthcoming governorship election.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, made the call in an interview with The PUNCH, accusing Soludo of trying to sway voters with financial incentives rather than relying on his administration’s achievements.
The controversy began after Soludo, APGA’s governorship candidate, pledged monetary rewards to supporters based on ward performance during a campaign rally in Umunze, Orumba South Local Government Area, on October 25.
“When we were campaigning for the Senate, we knew we were going to win every ward in the South Senatorial Zone, but we still had some incentives. Any ward that APGA won received N1 million, and we won all the wards in Orumba South.
“We promised each of these wards N1 million, and next week, we will redeem it. The ward that comes first will get N5 million, the second N3 million, and the third N2 million. That was the deal. For November 8, any ward that wins again will receive N1 million, while the first three performing wards will get N5 million, N2 million, and N1 million respectively,” Soludo was quoted as saying.
Reacting to the development, Bashiru said Soludo’s remark reflected desperation and a lack of confidence, alleging that the governor’s performance in office failed to inspire voters. He added that if Soludo could not campaign based on his achievements after more than three years in office, it indicated that he was struggling and should be voted out.
“INEC should probe this matter and issue a public warning against such conduct. The police must also investigate APGA’s campaign finances to ensure compliance with electoral laws,” Bashiru said.
However, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, dismissed the allegations, describing the APC as a weak and non-existent opposition in the state.
Mefor accused the APC of deliberately misrepresenting Soludo’s remarks, explaining that the governor’s statement was intended to encourage voter participation rather than buy votes in the poll slated for November 8.
“Governor Soludo has not offered any reward to those who would vote for him, but rather to all registered voters generally, regardless of party affiliation. His concern is the low voter turnout in Anambra elections, where only about 200,000 out of 2.7 million registered voters participated in the last poll,” Mefor stated.
He maintained that Soludo’s administration had exceeded expectations, adding that several communities had voluntarily contributed funds to support his re-election.
According to him, Soludo did not need to pay anyone to vote for him, as residents were eager to return him to office due to his performance.
He added that nearly every community in the state had donated millions to his re-election fund, describing it as an unprecedented show of support.
NOVEMBER 2nd of every year is observed as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI). This day serves as a powerful condemnation of all acts of violence and aggression directed at journalists and media professionals.
It is a critical moment to elevate global awareness regarding the safety of journalists and to press member states to implement effective measures to prevent violence, ensure that perpetrators are held accountable, and foster a secure environment where journalists can practice their profession independently. The date commemorates the murder of two French journalists in Mali on November 2, 2013.
The 2025 theme, “Chat GBV: Raising Awareness on AI facilitated Gender Based Violence against Women,” highlights an urgent, evolving threat, especially for female journalists in the digital age. This focus is particularly pertinent in Nigeria, where journalists, male and female, face persistent attacks, often with little to no legal consequence for their assailants.
Battle on the frontlines: Attacks on female journalists
Recent accounts from Nigeria vividly illustrate the dual challenges of physical assault and sexual harassment faced by female journalists. These attacks occur both in the field and within newsrooms, and are increasingly migrating to online platforms.
The risks of on-the-job reporting frequently escalate into physical danger:
In February 2024, a Whistler reporter, Kasarachchi Aniagolu, was detained, slapped, physically assaulted, and reportedly hit with a gun by police officers in Abuja while reporting on a currency trading area raid. Despite showing her press identification and requesting a formal interview, she became a target.
In May 2023, Cliqq TV journalist Rukayya Jibia was assaulted by approximately 20 policemen in Katsina. Her offence was questioning the police decision to parade four young women arrested on prostitution allegations before trial, citing the Nigerian Constitution’s presumption of innocence.
Rukayya Jibia
Jibia stated that an officer personally twisted her hand and smashed her phone on the ground. She was detained for about five hours after being dragged to the Emir’s palace, where she was not permitted to defend herself against police accusations of undermining their authority.
Azuka Ogujiuba, a Lagos-based journalist and publisher, was subjected to an unlawful detention in an Abuja police cell for three days without food following a report on a land dispute involving a real estate developer. She was later ambushed by policemen “in a gangster like manner” and coerced into signing an apology letter circulated to discredit her publication, despite a directive from the Inspector General of Police cautioning officers against interfering in purely civil matters.
Journalist Azuka Ogujuiba
Similarly, in August 2025, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) transport reporter Ladi Bala, a former President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), was verbally abused and intimidated by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, while covering a train derailment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail line.
Opeifa disrupted her live report and allegedly used demeaning language, ordering security to remove her. Although Opeifa later publicly apologised on August 31, 2025, claiming his actions were due to intense pressure, the initial incident highlights the hostility faced by women in the media.
Also in October 2025, Jay 101.9 FM journalists Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang were arrested by operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) in Jos, Plateau State, for posting a video of a confrontation between a cleric and security operatives at the funeral of a politician’s mother. Following public and media outrage, they were eventually released, but their illegal detention underscores the security agencies’ disregard for press freedom.
Hafsah Muhammed of WikkiTimes narrowly escaped a robbery by machete-wielding men while on her way to submit a Freedom of Information request in Gombe during the 2023 general elections.
Bolanle Olabimtan, a reporter for TheCable, was harassed by political thugs who confiscated her phone and deleted her footage. Adefemi Akinsanya of Arise TV was filmed shielding her crew from officers trying to seize their drone during the 2021 #EndSARS memorial.
Sexual harassment and coercion
Female journalists frequently navigate a deeply patriarchal environment where sexual harassment is used to control or obstruct their work:
WikkiTimes reporter Victoria Ogechukwu recounted that a source in Bauchi offered her cash and a hotel room instead of the budget documents she was seeking. Another investigative journalist, Hadiza Musa Yusuf, was approached by an elderly source in Kano’s civil service who repeatedly avoided answering her questions.
Victoria Ogochukwu
A former contract announcer at Katsina State Radio reported repeated sexual harassment during her decade-long tenure before her sudden dismissal in November 2023. A television presenter, identified as *Khadija, was subjected to a boss who publicly berated her and piled extra chores, forcing her eventual transfer.
In other news, veteran broadcaster Khadija Abdullahi was targeted by male colleagues in Kano who questioned her frequent visibility on flagship programmes, saying, “Does it always have to be Khadija?” This, combined with inappropriate messages online, pushed her to step down from certain anchoring roles. Sadia*, a newly hired journalist, faced routine dismissal of her work and stereotypical assumptions based on her background from her middle-aged male editor.
Online abuse
The threats extend viciously into the digital realm, impacting mental health and productivity:
A UNESCO ICFJ study found that 73 per cent of female reporters have experienced online harassment. Alarmingly, one in five respondents reported that this digital abuse escalated into offline threats or attacks, and 18 per cent were specifically threatened with sexual violence related to their reporting.
The unrelenting abuse leads to a devastating mental toll, with journalists reporting anxiety, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Akinsanya admitted that she has avoided watching the video of her assault because it remains “quite traumatic.”
A shared predicament: Attacks on male journalists
The culture of impunity is not limited to attacks on women. Reports from The ICIR confirm that male journalists are also targets of violence and unlawful detention, often perpetrated by security operatives and powerful individuals attempting to suppress accountability.
Gabriel Idibia, a journalist in Kaduna shares this image after he stated he was assaulted by the Police in 2024
In one incident, Marcus Fatunmole, News Editor at The ICIR, was detained for approximately six hours in Abuja by security operatives, including a police officer, while investigating a viral video about luxury buses for mass transit in December 2023. His phone was seized, and his Google account was accessed.
In December 2023, Godwin Tsa, a journalist with The Sun newspaper, was forcibly arrested by security officers from the Department of Development Control at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). Similarly, Precious Eze, an online publisher, was arrested and held incommunicado, with his laptop and devices confiscated in December 2023.
Reports indicate that a Special Task Force of the Nigeria Police from Abuja arrested and held Precious Eze incommunicado, confiscating his electronic devices in December 2023. Earlier, in November 2023, the Niger State Commissioner of Homeland Security reportedly assaulted Mustapha Batsari, a journalist reporting for Voice of America.
The collective experiences of Nigerian journalists paint a grim picture: from physical assault and illegal detention to sexual coercion and online smear campaigns.
Analysts say the international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists must serve as more than an annual reminder; it is a vital call to action. While the legal framework exists within Section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution prohibits gender based discrimination, it is the lack of enforcement that allows impunity to thrive, some said.
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to religious liberty, describing recent claims that the country is intolerant or hostile to Christians as inaccurate and inconsistent with the nation’s realities.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Tinubu said Nigeria stood firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty and continued to maintain open engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders across the country.
He stressed that the portrayal of Nigeria as religiously intolerant “does not reflect our national reality,” adding that the government’s efforts to safeguard freedom of belief for all Nigerians remained consistent and sincere.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” Tinubu stated.
The president reaffirmed that Nigeria’s Constitution protects citizens of all faiths and that his administration was working closely with the United States government and the international community “to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”
Tinubu’s remarks followed earlier statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which rejected comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump alleging widespread killings of Christians and announcing Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
“These claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully,” said the ministry.
The government said while it appreciated global concern for human rights and religious freedom, the allegations were inaccurate and misrepresented the country’s realities.
Trump, in a Truth Social post shared on the White House X handle on Friday night, announced that he had designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing what he called an existential threat to Christianity.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ — but that is the least of it,” Trump wrote.
Citing figures he described as alarming, Trump added, “When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide), something must be done.
“I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries,” he stated.
In its response, the Nigerian government said under Tinubu’s leadership, the country remained committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.
The statement added that Nigeria would continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.
Last month, US lawmaker Riley Moore had urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take diplomatic action over what he described as the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria, calling it “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.” He also advocated suspending arms sales to Nigeria until measurable progress was made in curbing violence.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had dismissed claims that terrorists in Nigeria deliberately target Christians while speaking earlier in the week on CNN.
“Some of the claims made by certain officials of the United States are based on faulty data and assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians,” Idris said, adding that “Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians, and they also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country.”
THE Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Samaila Bagudo, has been abducted by bandits
He was abducted in his hometown in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.
The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying armed men invaded the area shortly after the lawmaker observed Isha’i prayers on Friday night and seized him as he was returning home.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, the police said the attack occurred around 8:20 p.m. on Friday, October 31.
Abubakar said a joint team comprising police tactical units, military personnel, and local vigilantes had been deployed to the area to track down the abductors and rescue the lawmaker unharmed.
“The combined forces are currently combing suspected bandits’ routes and surrounding forests in an effort to rescue the lawmaker unhurt and apprehend those responsible for the attack,” the statement read.
The Command described the abduction as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished,” assuring that all available resources were being mobilised to secure the victim’s release.
The Commissioner of Police, according to the statement, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, and provide credible information that could aid the rescue operation.
A coalition of civil society organisations in Nigeria and prominent citizens have condemned the assault on Executive Director of Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, Yemi Adamolekun, by Man O’ War volunteers allegedly acting under police instruction during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State.
Adamolekun was reportedly accosted and manhandled on Sunday while attempting to honour victims of the October 20, 2020, #EndSARS protest, where security operatives opened fire on peaceful demonstrators.
In a protest letter addressed to the Lagos State Government and copied to the President Bola Tinubu, as well as relevant police and Man O’ War authorities, citizens and civil society groups across the country expressed outrage at what they described as an attack on civic freedom.
Among the signatories to the petition are the Nigeria Network of NGOs, Amnesty International Nigeria, SERAP, CISLAC, Media Rights Agenda, Global Rights, Yiaga Africa, TechHerNG, Accountability Lab, Hope Behind Bars, We The People, and Middle Belt Concern. Prominent citizens including Remi Sonaiya, a 2015 presidential candidate, and Mr. Frank Nweke Jr., a two-time federal minister, also signed in solidarity.
The groups said they were writing “as concerned citizens and citizen groups to express their deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of the assault on Yemi Adamolekun, Executive Director of Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, by individuals identified as Man O’ War volunteers acting under the instruction of officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos State.”
They described the incident as “an act that should have been protected under our democratic guarantees of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and human dignity.”
According to them, verified video evidence shows Adamolekun being accosted and manhandled while laying a wreath to commemorate victims of the #EndSARS massacre.
The citizens noted that the incident was “particularly troubling” because it was carried out “under official supervision,” warning that such actions “undermine the credibility of law enforcement agencies and tarnish the human rights record of both the Lagos State and Federal Government.”
They further cautioned that such pattern of aggression projected the administration as intolerant of civic participation and devoid of empathy for the citizens it serves.
The coalition demanded a public apology from the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Police Command, and Man O’ War Nigeria to Adamolekun and the Nigerian public, as well as an immediate and transparent investigation into the conduct of those involved, with disciplinary measures where appropriate.
They also called for a clear commitment from the authorities to uphold citizens’ rights to peacefully assemble and commemorate national tragedies without intimidation or assault.
The groups stressed that the assault on Adamolekun represented a wider threat to civic space in Nigeria, noting that the incident was not just about one individual, but about the continuing struggle for civic freedom and accountability in Nigeria’s democracy.
To assault a citizen for mourning victims of state violence is to reopen the wounds of #EndSARS, they stated, adding that the government must choose the path of justice and empathy, not intimidation and silence.
THE Federal Government has dismissed Friday’s remarks by United States President Donald Trump alleging widespread killings of Christians in Nigeria and declaring the country a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC).”
In a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said Trump’s claims did not accurately reflect the situation in Nigeria.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by US President Donald Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.
“These claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully,” said the ministry.
The government said while it appreciated global concern for human rights and religious freedom, the allegations were inaccurate and misrepresented the country’s realities.
Trump, in a Truth Social post shared on the White House X handle on Friday night, announced that he had designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing what he called “an existential threat to Christianity.”
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ — but that is the least of it,” Trump wrote.
Citing figures he described as alarming, Trump added, “When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide), something must be done.
“I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries,” he stated.
In its response, the Nigerian government said under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the country remained committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.
The statement added that Nigeria would continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.
Last month, U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore had urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take diplomatic action over what he described as the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria, calling it “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.” He also advocated suspending arms sales to Nigeria until measurable progress was made in curbing violence.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, speaking earlier in the week on CNN, dismissed claims that terrorists in Nigeria deliberately target Christians.
“Some of the claims made by certain officials of the United States are based on faulty data and assumptions that the victims of this violence are largely Christians,” Idris said.
“Yes, there are Christians being attacked, but these criminals do not just target one religion. They target Christians, and they also target Muslims. We have seen that especially in the northern part of the country.”
UNITED States President Donald Trump has added Nigeria to countries on watchlist for Christian genocide..
Trump made the announcement on Friday on his Truth Social.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump said.
He said Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer and most populous nation, would be added to the US “Countries of Particular Concern” list for nations accused of violating religious freedom.
According to the State Department’s website, the “Countries of Particular Concern” list also includes nations such as China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, and Pakistan, among others.
The US President said he had asked US Representatives Riley Moore and Tom Cole, along with the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate the issue and report their findings to him.
The ICIRreported that US Senator Ted Cruz recently introduced a bill aimed at protecting ‘persecuted’ Christians in Nigeria.
A member of the US House of Representatives, Riley Moore, urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take immediate and decisive diplomatic action against the Nigerian government over what he described as the “systematic persecution and killing of Christians” in the country.
Similarly, US comedian and talk show host Bill Maher alleged that Christians in Nigeria were being systematically targeted and killed by terrorist groups.
Reacting, President Bola Tinubu, on September 30, dismissed allegations of religious genocide in Nigeria as unfounded, stressing that the nation was built on the faith and resilience of its people.
However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has maintained that Christian communities, particularly in northern Nigeria, have faced intense attacks, resulting in loss of lives and the destruction of churches and other places of worship.
Similarly, reacting to growing reports of Christian persecution in Nigeria, the Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, said that many Muslims in Nigeria were victims of Nigeria’s insecurity.
