Trump labels Nigeria ‘a disgrace,’ threatens military action over violence against Christians
U.S. President Donald Trump, intensified his criticism of Nigeria on Friday, branding the country “a disgrace” and reiterating threats of potential military intervention if Nigerian authorities fail to curb attacks against Christian communities.
Speaking on a conservative radio programme, Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect its citizens from extremist violence.
He described the ongoing attacks as a “genocide” and expressed frustration over U.S. financial support to the West African nation.
“Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace. They’re killing people by the thousands.
” It’s a genocide, and I’m really angry about it. And we pay, you know, we give a lot of subsidies to Nigeria.
”We’re going to end up stopping,” Trump said.
The comments mark a sharp escalation in rhetoric from the U.S. president, who has repeatedly focused on the narrative that Christians in Nigeria were uniquely targeted.
A perspective that has gained traction among right-wing circles in the United States.
Analysts noted, however, that Nigeria has a long-standing history of ethnoreligious conflicts in which both Christians and Muslims have been victims of violence.
Trump’s remarks followed a meeting between U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, at the Pentagon.
The session was aimed at reinforcing the US administration’s position on violence against Christians in Nigeria.
“Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists,” Hegseth stated on X, referring to the Department of Defence by its administration-preferred acronym, “DOW” (Department of War).
A Pentagon statement noted that the officials discussed “tangible progress” in addressing extremist attacks targeting Christian communities and countering jihadist groups operating in West Africa.
The Nigerian government had repeatedly rejected claims of religious persecution.
President Bola Tinubu, a Muslim whose wife is a Christian pastor, has insisted that his administration is committed to protecting citizens of all faiths and ensuring security for every community.
Nigerian authorities maintained that the violence afflicting the country is multifaceted, affecting Christians and Muslims alike, and cannot be framed as targeting a single religious group.
Trump’s latest remarks have sparked diplomatic concern, coming amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Nigeria over security and human rights issues.
Analysts warned that continued escalation of rhetoric could complicate diplomatic relations and cooperation on regional security efforts in West Africa.
