 "Nigeria rejects US ‘country of concern’ tag, says designation based on ‘faulty data’")
Nigeria’s government on Wednesday rejected its designation by the United States as a “country of particular concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom, calling the move misguided and based on inaccurate information.
The move came after US President Donald Trump last week reinstated Nigeria on a list of nations accused of violating religious freedoms and warned on Saturday that he had directed the Defence Department to prepare for possible “fast” military action if Abuja failed to curb attacks on Christians.
WATCH: China Backs Nigeria After Trump's Threat Over "Christian Killings" | Firstpost Africa
Officials in Abuja said Washington’s decision was unfounded and risked straining diplomatic relations between the two countries.
‘Unwarranted’ threats
Defending Nigeria’s record, Information Minister Mohammed Idris told a press briefing that Trump’s threats of military action were unwarranted and misrepresented Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
”…any narrative suggesting that the Nigerian State is failing to take action against religious attacks is based on misinformation or faulty data,” Idris said.
Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede said on Monday the country faced terrorism, not persecution of Christians, and the Nigerian presidency has said it would welcome U.S. help in fighting Islamist insurgents as long as the country’s territorial integrity is respected.
Idris said President Bola Tinubu’s government had made significant progress in tackling terrorism since taking office in May 2023.
”The Government of Nigeria remains open and willing to work closely with the Government of the United States, other friendly nations and partners, to achieve our shared goal, the complete elimination of terrorism on Nigerian soil,” Idris said.
More than 13,500 militants have been killed, 17,000 suspects arrested, and over 11,200 hostages — including women and children — rescued, he said.
Idris said terrorism affected both Christians and Muslims, and that the government is committed to ending extremist violence through military action, regional cooperation and dialogue with international partners.
Quick Reads
View AllNigeria, home to more than 200 ethnic groups practicing Christianity, Islam and traditional faiths, has a history of coexistence but has also seen sporadic violence, often driven by ethnic tensions and competition over scarce resources.
With inputs from agencies
 "US designates 4 'antifa' European groups as foreign terror threats as Trump widens his crackdown on the left")
 "Bihar Election Results 2025 Live Updates: NDA crosses halfway mark in early trends, Tejashwi leads from Raghopur")
 "Canada's spy agency raises concern over threats from Russia & China in Arctic region")
 "Is BBC anti-Trump? What are the new allegations against the British broadcaster?")
 "US designates 4 'antifa' European groups as foreign terror threats as Trump widens his crackdown on the left")
 "Bihar Election Results 2025 Live Updates: NDA crosses halfway mark in early trends, Tejashwi leads from Raghopur")
 "Canada's spy agency raises concern over threats from Russia & China in Arctic region")
 "Is BBC anti-Trump? What are the new allegations against the British broadcaster?")
