President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reacted swiftly to warnings from United States of America (USA), President, Donald J. Trump, and U.S Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, that American forces will attack and kill Islamic Terrorists responsible for the “mass slaughter” of Christians in the country.
President Trump has also declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” a designation that categorises a country among others that severely violate religious freedoms under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) and that results in serious actions, including economic sanctions.
In a statement he personally endorsed, which noted that “the characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” President Tinubu assured that his administration “is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”
His statement followed a scathing post by President Trump which said categorically that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a “COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN” – But that is the least of it.
“When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done! I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter, and report back to me.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”
President Trump followed this up by saying: “If the Nigerian Govt continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A will immediately stop all aid and assistance, and 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. 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!”
Taking the cue, Secretary of War, Hegseth posted: “Yes Sir,
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 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.”
Other such weighty reactions from America’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, U.S legislators and other U. S stakeholders as well as by Nigerians and other commentators at home and in the Diaspora, mostly hailing Trump for his position, and the expected consequences of the enforcement of the actions contained in Trump’s pronouncements have resulted in Tinubu’s statement as well as some other reactions attempting to reflect the government’s point of view.
In Tinubu’s statement, titled “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu insisted that “Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.”
Arguing that the characterisation of the country as religiously intolerant does not reflect the reality, he noted further that “Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it. Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.” He then pledged commitment to work with the U.S government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”
Before his statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior government officials had rallied to mount a defence against the position of Trump, with most arguing that the killings by the terrorists cut across religious groups and were not targeted at Christians, and that the Tinubu government is making efforts to stop the killings.
