—Says Allegations Do Not Reflect Reality on Ground

The Federal Government has dismissed recent remarks by the U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government described Trump’s claims as inaccurate and not reflective of the realities in Nigeria.

According to the statement signed by the Ministry’s Spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.

“While Nigeria appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, these claims do not reflect the situation on the ground,” the statement read.

Ebienfa emphasized that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all Nigerians.

He 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.

The Ministry reaffirmed that Nigeria values its relationship with the U.S. and remains open to dialogue aimed at promoting peace, security, and religious tolerance.

Trump had said on Saturday that he has ordered the Defense Department to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria as he continues to accuse the nation of violence against Christians.

He threatened that the United States would “immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” and warned the government there to “move fast.”

In the lengthy message, Trump said the US “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,” Trump wrote. “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!”

“Yes sir,” US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted on social media with a screenshot of Trump’s comments. “The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”

The announcement comes after Trump accused Nigeria of religious freedom violations on Friday, claiming that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria” and designating the nation as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act. The label is a suggestion that his administration has found that Nigeria has engaged or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, (and) egregious violations of religious freedom.”

Additional information from CNN