Christian Leaders Applaud Trump’s Stand as Nigeria Faces Humanitarian Catastrophe
By Ekani Olikita
In a major foreign policy move, United States President Donald J. Trump on Friday, October 31, 2025, designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over what he described as the “ongoing genocide and systematic persecution of Christians” in the West African nation.
The designation, which underscores Washington’s growing alarm over religious intolerance and targeted violence, places Nigeria among a list of nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom. It reflects renewed global attention on the plight of Christian communities across Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions, where attacks by extremist groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic States in West Africa (ISWAP), Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) have continued unabated.
Trump, known for his strong stance on religious freedom, stated that the U.S. “cannot remain silent while innocent Christians are being slaughtered for their faith.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed thousands of Christians are being killed in Nigeria by “radical Islamists” responsible for “mass slaughter.” He specifically cited figures stating 3,100 Christians have been killed in Nigeria.
The president directed Congressman Riley Moore, along with House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, to investigate the situation and report back to him.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries,” Trump wrote. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!”
He urged the international community to hold accountable those responsible for the wave of killings, kidnappings, and church burnings that have displaced thousands and devastated communities.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned of an escalating humanitarian crisis, particularly in states such as Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, and Taraba, where Christian populations have been victims of targeted assaults by armed groups, including Islamist militants and Fulani militias.
Senator Ted Cruz — actions and arguments
Ted Cruz, a Republican Senator has been one of the most vocal U.S. proponents for a formal U.S. response. His bill and public statements characterize the violence in parts of Nigeria as targeted attacks on Christians and call for accountability for Nigerian officials suspected of complicity or negligence. Cruz and allied members argue U.S. pressure (designation or sanction) is needed to compel Nigerian authorities to protect religious minorities.
Christian Leaders Welcome Trump Declaration
Christian leaders in Nigeria have welcomed Trump’s declaration, describing it as a “moral and timely intervention” that could draw global focus to the decades-long persecution largely ignored by successive Nigerian governments.
“The truth is that our people are under siege,” said Pastor Shaagba, a cleric from Benue State in an interview with TruthNigeria. “This recognition from a global figure like President Trump gives voice to our suffering and sends a message that the world is finally paying attention.”
Faith Under Fire: Bishop Accuses FG of Apathy as 300,000 Christians Flee Southern Taraba
In his reaction to Donald Trump ‘s listing of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concerns, Bishop Mark Maigida Nzekwain of the Wukari Catholic Diocese declared on Friday, October 31, 2025, that the current administration’s stance on the suffering of the Christian population suggests a profound lack of concern.
Speaking to a TruthNigeria correspondent, Bishop Nzekwain did not mince words, asserting that the government’s “actions and attitude towards the plight of Nigerian Christians shows that it really did not care” about the faithful. He highlighted the staggering scale of the crisis currently plaguing Southern Taraba, revealing that “over 300,000 Christians have been displaced from their ancestral homes”—a humanitarian catastrophe of devastating proportions.
The Bishop paused to acknowledge international efforts, offering fervent gratitude to global figures who have championed the cause. “I wish to thank US President, Donald Trump, Senator Ted Cruz and others who have helped pushed forward the bill,” he stated, underscoring the importance of external pressure.
Praise for ‘Truth Tellers’ and Call for War
Echoing the Bishop’s concerns, David Onyilokwu Idah, Director of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Abuja, also stepped forward to praise the work of investigative journalists and advocates. Idah specifically lauded those he called “truth tellers,” commending TruthNigeria reporters, Judd Saul (Director of Equipping the Persecuted – ETP), Bill Maher, and Lara Logan for their critical role in “helping the world to understand the ongoing genocide against Christians.”
Idah stressed the necessity of their transparency, arguing that without their vigilance, the perpetrators might have succeeded: “If it is not for TruthNigeria reporters, (and) Lara Logan and Judd Saul, probably the Nigerian Government would have gotten away with this impunity against Christians.”
Concluding with a powerful ultimatum, Idah directed a stern appeal to the nation’s leader, President Bola Tinubu, urging immediate and decisive action: “I will urge President Bola Tinubu to use this opportunity to rejig his military, close the border to the influx Fulani terrorists and other Jihadist groups and to declare an all-out war against the Fulani terrorists.” The demand serves as a definitive call for a strategic and aggressive overhaul of the security apparatus to protect vulnerable populations.
Other leaders joined in the praise for President Trump.
“Not only has President Trump ended many wars around the world, he’s also stopping Nigeria’s Genocide of Christians,” texted Dede Laugesen, President of Save the Persecuted Christians.
“Trump’s decision today to hold Nigerian officials accountable for the deaths of tens of thousands of Nigerian Christians over several decades gives the U.S. government a range of options that can now be deployed to strongly discourage President Tinubu and his administration from continuing to enable, tolerate and lie about the murder, rape and pillage perpetrated by Fulani militants and other Islamist groups with impunity.
“Thank you, President Trump for making the decision to once again add Nigeria to the list of the world’s worst violators of religious freedom. We pray that peace will soon prevail,” Laugesen told TruthNigeria.”
Observers believe the designation could pressure both the Nigerian government and international organizations to act decisively in addressing the growing insecurity, displacement, and religiously motivated violence across the country.
Nigeria was first listed as a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. government in 2020 but was controversially removed in 2021. Trump’s renewed stance now revives debate on Washington’s commitment to defending global religious freedom and may influence future U.S.–Nigeria relations.
Ekani Olikita is a Conflict Reporter for TruthNigeria.
Kudos to the people’s President, Donald Trump for taking this laudable action. May you hold the perpetrators of these heinous acts accountable for their actions for it is getting too much.