FG Insists No Religious Persecution in Nigeria Amid Trump’s Allegations

FG denies Trump’s claim of Christian persecution and reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and unity.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly denied allegations of religious persecution, following recent comments attributed to United States President Donald Trump suggesting possible military intervention in response to the alleged killing of Christians in Nigeria. The Nigerian government described the claims as “baseless and misleading,” insisting that there is no form of government-backed discrimination or persecution against any religious group in the country.
Speaking during a joint press conference in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom, equality, and justice for all citizens regardless of their faith or ethnic background.

Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and worship, making any form of religious persecution unconstitutional.

“There can’t be a religious persecution that can be supported in any way, shape, or form by the government of Nigeria at any level.”

the minister said while addressing reporters alongside his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul.
He reiterated that the Nigerian government remains neutral in all matters of faith and has continuously worked to ensure peace, tolerance, and coexistence among its diverse population of Christians, Muslims, and adherents of traditional religions. According to him, it is misleading for anyone to paint Nigeria as a country divided by religion, noting that the country’s long-standing interfaith harmony has been unfairly misrepresented by foreign media and some political figures.

The controversy began when former US President Donald Trump claimed on his social media page that Christians in Nigeria were being killed in large numbers and that he had instructed the Pentagon to “map out a possible plan of action” in response to the alleged killings. Trump’s comments quickly gained global attention, fueling fresh debate about religious violence and insecurity in Nigeria, especially in northern regions where insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have operated for years. In his remarks, Trump alleged that “thousands of Christians are being slaughtered by radical Islamists,” calling the situation a humanitarian crisis that demands international action.
However, the Federal Government of Nigeria strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as inaccurate and inflammatory, capable of worsening tensions in a country already battling complex security challenges involving terrorism, banditry, communal clashes, and kidnapping.

Minister Tuggar cautioned against what he called “external attempts to divide Nigeria along religious lines,” stressing that such narratives could undermine ongoing efforts to restore peace and unity.

“What we are trying to make the world understand is that we should not create another Sudan,”

Tuggar said, referring to the decades-long religious and ethnic conflicts that eventually led to the partition of Sudan into two separate countries. He explained that the Sudanese crisis began when the international community failed to understand the local realities on the ground, choosing instead to interpret every conflict through the lens of religion.

“We’ve seen what happened in Sudan with agitations for partitioning based on religion and tribal sentiments. Even after the split, the crisis did not end. Nigeria cannot afford to go down that same road,”he warned.

Tuggar noted that while Nigeria faces multiple security issues, the conflicts are not driven by religion but rather by a mix of economic, ethnic, and territorial factors.
The Nigerian government insists that the insecurity crisis affects all groups equally, regardless of religion or ethnicity. Officials have repeatedly stated that Muslim communities, Christian communities, and other groups have all suffered casualties from terrorist attacks, herder-farmer conflicts, and banditry.
The government has also emphasized its efforts in tackling insecurity through military operations, community peace initiatives, and regional cooperation with neighboring countries in West Africa.

“It is misleading to portray Nigeria’s security situation as religiously motivated,”

a senior government official said in Abuja.

“Our security forces are working daily to protect all Nigerians, not one group over another.”

The Federal Government maintains that terrorism and violence in the country are rooted in criminal and extremist agendas, not state-sponsored religious persecution. This is not the first time Nigeria has faced criticism from Washington over alleged religious persecution.
In December 2020, during Trump’s presidency, the U.S. Department of State designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), citing alleged violations of religious freedom.
Nigeria’s government at the time strongly objected to the move, saying the designation was politically motivated and unsupported by facts. Under President Joe Biden, Nigeria was later removed from the CPC list in 2021, after diplomatic discussions and Nigeria’s explanation of its constitutional and policy frameworks protecting religious freedom. Despite these tensions, both countries have maintained bilateral cooperation on security, counterterrorism, trade, and governance reforms.

Minister Tuggar urged international partners, including the United States, to verify information carefully before making public statements about Nigeria’s internal affairs. He called on the global media to practice responsible journalism, warning that false narratives about religious persecution could fuel division and incite violence among citizens.

“Nigeria is a multi-religious society where people live, work, and worship side by side.” Tuggar said.
“We must protect that unity, not allow divisive rhetoric from abroad to tear it apart.”

He further appealed for cooperation and dialogue rather than confrontation, stressing that Nigeria remains open to working with international partners to promote peace, human rights, and mutual respect.
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In conclusion, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated that there is no religious persecution in the country, as alleged by Donald Trump. Authorities say the Nigerian Constitution and government policies uphold religious tolerance and equality, and that all citizens—Christians, Muslims, and others—are entitled to the same rights and protections under the law.
The government also called on the international community to support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and insecurity rather than spread divisive claims that could undermine national unity.
As Minister Yusuf Tuggar stated in Berlin,

“Our diversity is our strength. Nigeria’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and religious freedom remains unshaken.”

By Primelineinfo