Trump had previously designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing allegations of genocide against Christians in the country.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The United States President, Donald Trump, has once again stated that his administration will not allow the alleged persecution and killing of Christians in Nigeria.
He made the comments on Sunday while heading back to the White House following a weekend at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump last week designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing what he described as “ongoing violence against Christians and the failure of the government to protect religious minorities.” The designation followed allegations of genocide against Christians in the West African country made by some U.S. officials.
The Nigerian government vehemently denied the persecution of any religious group in Nigeria following the CPC designation.
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However, on Saturday, Trump asked the Defense Department to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria if the Nigerian government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.” He also stated that his administration would immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump added that the U.S. 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.”
Doubling down on his earlier position while speaking to reporters on Sunday, the U.S. President said his government “will not sit and watch” the violence.
”They’re killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria…they’re killing the Christians, and killing them in very large numbers. We’re not going to allow that to happen,” Trump said.
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