By Empress Ugoeze
United States President Donald J. Trump has announced the designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over what he described as “egregious religious persecution” targeting Christians.
In a statement released on Friday, Trump said Christianity is facing an “existential threat” in Nigeria, citing the killings of thousands of Christians by radical Islamist groups.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump said. “I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’ But that is the least of it.”
The former president noted that more Christians were reportedly killed in Nigeria than in any other country, referencing figures that put the death toll at 3,100 in Nigeria compared to 4,476 globally.
“When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria, something must be done,” he declared.
Trump called on Congressman Riley Moore, along with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately investigate the situation and provide recommendations.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries,” Trump added. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
The CPC designation is one of the strongest U.S. government condemnations of religious freedom violations, reserved for countries that engage in or tolerate severe abuses.
Trump’s declaration has reignited international attention on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, where attacks on Christian communities and other faith groups have drawn global concern from rights organizations and religious leaders.