United States President Donald Trump has designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in response to allegations of widespread persecution and killings of Christians.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump warned that Christianity “is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” and alleged that thousands of Christians have been killed. He attributed the violence to “radical Islamists,” describing the situation as a “mass slaughter.”
The designation places Nigeria on a list of countries the U.S. government considers to be committing serious violations of religious freedom. The list, according to the U.S. State Department, already includes nations such as China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia and Pakistan.
Trump also said he has directed U.S. Representatives Riley Moore and Tom Cole, alongside the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate the situation and report back to him.
