Nigeria Denies Trump Claims Christian Persecution, Faces US Religious Watch Listing

U.S. President Donald Trump has designated Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern," citing an "existential threat" to Christians due to large-scale killings by radical Islamist groups. Trump accused these groups of perpetrating what he called a "mass slaughter" of thousands of Christians and directed federal lawmakers to investigate the situation and report back. The designation places Nigeria on a U.S. special monitoring list for countries involved in serious religious freedom violations, potentially leading to sanctions. Nigeria's Federal Government dismissed Trump's claims as inaccurate and misleading, emphasizing ongoing efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to protect human rights, promote religious freedom, and maintain interfaith harmony. The Nigerian government reaffirmed its commitment to combating terrorism and fostering unity, while also stressing the importance of continued diplomatic engagement with the United States to address regional security challenges. Despite widespread violence in parts of Nigeria, particularly involving extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP targeting multiple communities, the Nigerian presidency has yet to officially respond to Trump's recent designation.