US Govt Blames “Fulani Militias” For Alleged Christian Genocide In Nigeria
The United States government has blamed “Fulani ethnic militia” for the alleged “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria.
The allegation was contained in a position conveyed by the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in a terse statement following President Donald Trump’s decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
“The ongoing slaughter of thousands of Christians in Nigeria by radical Islamists and Fulani ethnic militias is both tragic and unacceptable. As POTUS said, the United States stands ready, willing, and able to act,” Rubio stated.
On Friday, President Trump said that in response to claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, he had redesignated the country as a “country of particular concern.”
He announced the decision on his Truth Social media platform.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it,” he posted.
Trump further noted that he had directed Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and members of the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the situation and report their findings to him.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries,” Trump said. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”
Reacting, however, the Nigerian government— through the country’s President, Bola Tinubu — denied that there is religious intolerance in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the President emphasised that Nigeria’s constitution enshrines the protection of religious rights and that his administration continues to ensure equality for all faiths across the country.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said.
He noted that since assuming office in 2023, his administration has maintained active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders while working to tackle security challenges that affect citizens regardless of their religious affiliation.
“Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions,” he stated.
Tinubu dismissed what he described as a mischaracterisation of Nigeria’s religious landscape by external observers, saying such claims fail to reflect the country’s diversity and the government’s ongoing efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” the President declared.
He stressed that religious tolerance remains central to Nigeria’s national identity, insisting that the government neither supports nor condones persecution based on faith.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” he affirmed.
Tinubu further underscored that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees protection for citizens of all faiths, reiterating that his administration will continue to work with international partners to promote understanding and safeguard communities.
“Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths,” he said.
“Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths,” Tinubu added.
