ABUJA, Nigeria – The United States has announced the immediate suspension of aid and security assistance to Nigeria following U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged attacks on Christians.
The statement was released on Trump’s Truth Social account and further reported by Reuters on Saturday.
The suspension marks an escalation in U.S. pressure, with Trump warning of possible further actions if the Nigerian government “fails to protect Christian communities.”
He claimed he had instructed the U.S. Defence Department to “prepare possible military response scenarios,” though no official confirmation has been issued by the Pentagon.
“We may very well go into that now disgraced country to eliminate the Islamic terrorists responsible for these atrocities,” Trump said, in comments widely circulated online.
U.S. diplomatic agencies have not clarified whether his remarks reflect active government policy or personal political positioning ahead of the American election cycle.
The designation and aid suspension have triggered strong reactions across Nigeria. Religious groups, civil society organisations, and political commentators have expressed divergent views on both the allegations and Trump’s rhetoric.
The Nigerian government, through separate statements from the Presidency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rejected the classification, stating that the country “does not tolerate persecution of any religious group” and has taken steps to address insecurity nationwide.
Officials added that Nigeria remains open to “constructive diplomatic engagement, not inflammatory remarks.”
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