WASHINGTON (FN) — President Donald Trump on Friday declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution and killings of Christians, escalating tensions between the two nations.He made the announcement via a post on his Truth Social account, stating: “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.’”Trump added: “But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide), something must be done!” He directed Rep. Riley Moore and Rep. Tom Cole, as well as leadership of the House Appropriations Committee, to launch an investigation and report back.He emphasized: “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.”Under U.S. law — the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act — a country may be designated a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) if it is found to engage in or permit “particularly severe violations of religious freedom.” The designation gives the president flexibility to impose sanctions, though it does not necessarily require them.Trump’s move follows prior actions by his administration, including earlier visa restrictions on Nigerians. It also comes after pressure from U.S. lawmakers who cited large-scale attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.Nigeria was first placed on the CPC list in 2020 but the designation was removed in 2023 during efforts to repair diplomatic relations. Analysts say that while some Christian-targeted violence is documented, broader insecurity in Nigeria also affects Muslim communities, especially in the country’s north.The Nigerian government has rejected suggestions of a targeted Christian genocide, pointing instead to multifaceted security challenges including terrorism, banditry, ethnic conflicts, herder-farmer disputes and criminal violence across religious lines.Religious freedom experts caution that allegations of genocide require proof of intent to destroy a religious group in whole or part — a high legal threshold not clearly met in Nigeria’s complex security landscape.Sen. Ted Cruz applauded Trump’s decision, calling it a “critical step in holding accountable Nigerian officials.” He also pledged to push for additional measures targeting those responsible for violence.
