Alleged Christian killings: China warns U.S against interfering in Nigeria’s internal affairs

Alleged Christian killings: China warns U.S against interfering in Nigeria’s internal affairs

In a sharp rebuke to what it described as foreign meddling, the Chinese government has publicly rejected any form of outside interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria. The statement follows a dramatic escalation from the Donald Trump administration in Washington, which announced that the United States Department of Defense (Pentagon) has been ordered to prepare military options against Nigeria over allegations of persecution of Christians.

At a Tuesday press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning declared that Beijing “firmly opposes any country using religion and human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and threatening other countries with sanctions and force.” She also reiterated China’s support for Nigeria as a “comprehensive strategic partner” and voiced confidence in the government of Bola Tinubu to lead Nigeria on a development path suitable to its national conditions.

The tension arises after President Trump said over the weekend that he had instructed the Pentagon to draw up plans for possible deployment of U.S. troops or air strikes in Nigeria, citing what he described as record-killings of Christians by Islamist extremists in the country. The U.S. also re-added Nigeria to its “Countries of Particular Concern” list for alleged violations of religious freedom.

Nigeria Pushes Back
The Nigerian government promptly rejected the U.S. threats. Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala called the claim of “Christian genocide” based on outdated and misleading information, and described the tactic as coercive. He emphasised that any military operation would require Nigeria’s consent, noting the country’s sovereignty. President Tinubu, in turn, affirmed that Nigeria is not a religiously intolerant state and reiterated commitment to protecting the rights of all faiths.

Analysts say Nigeria’s security crisis is complicated. While attacks by Boko Haram and armed gangs continue to brutally impact communities, the violence is not purely sectarian—in many cases both Christians and Muslims are victims. The geography of conflict, weak governance and inter-communal strife are major factors.

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China’s Role and Nigeria’s Strategic Partnerships
Meanwhile, China’s recent engagements with Nigeria underscore the growing complexity of great power competition in Africa. In early 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Abuja and pledged military assistance to Africa – including Nigeria – signalling Beijing’s intent to deepen security ties. Nigeria and China have also signed agreements for local arms production, maintenance of hardware and training of defence personnel, a move seen as helping Nigeria reduce reliance on Western arms suppliers.

For its part, the United States has offered Nigeria arms sales such as a potential US$346 million deal to supply munitions and rockets, designed to bolster Nigeria’s security capability. The U.S. sees Nigeria as a key partner in the fight against terrorism and in stabilising West Africa—but its recent unilateral military posture risks straining the relationship.

Implications and Outlook
The diplomatic clash not only raises the stakes for Nigeria’s foreign policy, but also highlights how African nations increasingly find themselves in the cross-currents of great power rivalry. Nigeria’s insistence on sovereignty and its partnerships with China show a deliberate diversification of its security and diplomatic ties.

Going forward, several questions remain:

Will the United States follow through on military threats, and if so, under what legal or diplomatic framework? How will Nigeria balance its relationships with Washington and Beijing without becoming a geopolitical battleground? Can Nigeria’s government address the root causes of its insecurity—governance gaps, community grievances, and weak institutions—so as to reduce the externalisation of its conflict?

For journalists and observers alike, this episode is a reminder that interventions framed around religion or human rights often intersect with broader strategic interests—in this case, security, influence and access. How Nigeria navigates these pressures will have consequences not only for its own stability, but for regional dynamics across West Africa.

Alleged Christian killings: China warns U.S against interfering in Nigeria’s internal affairs