Trump Reiterates Threat Against Nigeria Over Alleged Attacks on Christians

WASHINGTON (Reuters), U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his warning to take action against Nigeria, accusing the West African country of allowing widespread persecution of Christians.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Trump said the United States “will not sit back” while what he described as “systematic killings of Christians” continue in Nigeria and elsewhere.

> “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump told reporters. “The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening there and in numerous other countries.”

He added that the United States was “ready, willing, and able to protect our great Christian population around the world.”

Trump, who has frequently spoken about religious persecution and presented himself as a defender of Christian values, did not provide evidence to support his claims or details of any planned intervention.

The Nigerian government has not immediately responded to his remarks. Officials in Abuja have previously rejected similar accusations, maintaining that the government is addressing security challenges affecting all religious and ethnic groups.

Trump’s comments come amid heightened attention to religious and ethnic violence in parts of Nigeria, where clashes between farmers and herders, as well as extremist attacks, have caused thousands of deaths in recent years.

Analysts say the former president’s statement could strain diplomatic relations if taken as an official policy stance by Washington.