US President Donald Trump unleashed sharp criticism against the Nigerian government, accusing it of doing “nothing” to halt what he described as a “genocide” targeting Christians in the West African nation.
Trump, who has repeatedly highlighted the issue in recent weeks, warned of potential cuts to US financial aid and escalated threats of military intervention if the violence persists.
“I think Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace. They are killing people by the thousands. It is a genocide, and I am really angry about it,” Trump stated in the recording, which was played during the show.
He claimed the crisis had been largely overlooked by the international community until his administration drew attention to it two weeks ago.
The president’s remarks come amid heightened US scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation, where jihadist groups like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), along with clashes between Muslim herders and Christian farmers, have fueled widespread instability.
Trump alleged that “thousands” of Christians have been slain by “Islamic terrorists,” though independent analyses, such as those from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), indicate that the majority of victims in northern Nigeria—where most attacks occur—are Muslims.
“And we pay, you know, we give a lot of subsidy to Nigeria. We are going to end up stopping. The government has done nothing. They are very ineffective. They are killing Christians at will,” Trump added. He reiterated earlier warnings that failure to act could prompt a “fast, vicious, and sweet” US response, potentially involving direct action against perpetrators.
This is not Trump’s first salvo on the issue.
Earlier this month, he redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, echoing a label from his first term that was later removed by the Biden administration.
In a November 1 social media post, Trump directed the Pentagon—now rebranded by his administration as the “Department of War”—to prepare for possible operations, stating the US might enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to eliminate the threats.
Nigerian Delegation Engages US Officials Amid Rising Tensions
Trump’s comments have sparked diplomatic urgency, prompting Nigeria to dispatch a high-level delegation to Washington this week for crisis talks.
Led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the group includes heavyweights such as Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede; and Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye.
On Thursday, Ribadu and his team met with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon.
Hegseth, a staunch Trump ally and Fox News veteran, urged Nigeria to take “decisive action” against the attacks, according to a Pentagon readout.
“Under @POTUS leadership, [the Department of War] is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists,” Hegseth posted on X following the closed-door session.
The discussions reportedly covered counterterrorism strategies, intelligence sharing, and bolstering protections for vulnerable communities.
Sources indicate the US Africa Command is poised to expand cooperation if Nigeria requests it, though any unilateral action without Abuja’s consent would risk violating international law.
The previous evening, on Wednesday, the delegation convened with US Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV) in Washington, DC.
Moore, a vocal advocate for religious freedom who has pushed legislation targeting Nigerian officials linked to jihadist violence, described the talks as “frank, honest, and productive.”
He emphasized US expectations for “tangible steps” to safeguard Christians from “persecution, displacement, and death.”
“Nigerian officials shared their government’s challenges and concerns regarding counterterrorism, security assistance, [and] protection of vulnerable communities,” Moore said in a statement.
He affirmed Washington’s readiness to partner against groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants, particularly in Nigeria’s Northeast and Middle Belt regions.
“President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria.”
Nigeria’s Response: Defiance and Calls for Partnership
The Nigerian government has firmly rejected Trump’s genocide claims, insisting that religious freedom is enshrined in its constitution and that violence stems from broader insecurity, not state-sponsored persecution.
Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, speaking in Berlin earlier this month, brandished a document outlining Nigeria’s commitments to the rule of law, calling US allegations “bewildering.”
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has welcomed potential US assistance in fighting terrorism but warned against any moves that undermine Nigerian sovereignty.
Rights advocates like John Joseph Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the north have echoed some US concerns, describing “systematic killings” in affected areas, while others, including human rights expert Bulama Bukarti, stress that attacks claim victims across faiths and urge collaborative solutions over confrontation.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation with roughly equal Christian and Muslim populations, grapples with over 8,000 deaths from kidnappings and terror attacks this year alone.
Despite the rhetoric, analysts see the delegation’s visit as a de-escalation effort, with both sides signaling interest in deepened military and intelligence ties.
As tensions simmer, Trump’s intervention has reignited global debate on Nigeria’s fragile security landscape.
Whether it leads to aid suspension, enhanced cooperation, or something more explosive remains to be seen—but for now, the spotlight is firmly on Abuja to demonstrate progress.