…Says remarks do not reflect reality on ground
The Ministry insisted that Nigerians of all faiths “have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.”
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The Federal Government has rejected recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, November 1, 2025, by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the government said Trump’s claims were “inaccurate and do not reflect the situation on the ground.”
While acknowledging the importance of global concern for human rights and religious freedom, the Ministry insisted that Nigerians of all faiths “have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.”
The statement further noted that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria remains steadfast in combating terrorism, promoting interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its citizens.
“Nigeria appreciates the concern of the international community,” the statement read, “but the narrative suggesting systematic persecution of Christians does not align with the facts or the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure peace and security across all regions.”
The Ministry reaffirmed that Nigeria will continue to engage constructively with the United States to foster better understanding of the country’s complex security challenges and its progress in addressing them.
Ebienfa added that both nations share a long history of cooperation in areas of governance, counterterrorism, and human rights, and that Nigeria remains open to dialogue aimed at strengthening these ties.