Alleged Christian killings: Nigeria’s military denies Trump’s claims

Alleged Christian killings: Nigeria’s military denies Trump’s claims

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has firmly rejected recent allegations that Christians are being targeted in Nigeria, asserting that terrorism—not religious persecution—remains the country’s foremost security challenge.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, General Oluyede addressed comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Islamic terrorists were killing Christians in Nigeria and threatened military intervention. Oluyede dismissed the assertion as unfounded.

“There are no Christians being persecuted in Nigeria,” Oluyede stated. “We are facing insecurity, especially terrorism, and it’s something that has been affecting Nigeria for quite some time now.”

The Defence Chief emphasized the Nigerian Armed Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and restore national stability. He praised President Bola Tinubu’s recent overhaul of the country’s security architecture, which brought in officers with expertise in asymmetric warfare.

“Just last week, the President recalibrated the security architecture by bringing on board officers of proven integrity,” Oluyede said. “We’re going to add more impetus to our operations and ensure we checkmate terrorism within Nigeria.”

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He also called for international cooperation, noting that terrorism is a global issue requiring collective action.

“There are several countries challenged in this respect,” Oluyede added. “If we have countries ready to support Nigeria, we are ready to have them on board.”

His remarks followed a high-level security meeting convened in response to Trump’s controversial post on Truth Social, where the U.S. President threatened to halt aid and potentially launch military action against Nigeria.

🇳🇬 Presidential Response: Nigeria Upholds Religious Liberty

President Bola Tinubu responded swiftly, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and religious freedom. In a statement posted on X, Tinubu emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that his administration actively engages with leaders of all faiths.

“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu wrote. “Our administration continues to address security challenges affecting citizens across faiths and regions.”

He rejected foreign portrayals of Nigeria as religiously intolerant, calling them misleading and unrepresentative of the country’s diverse and inclusive society.

“Religious tolerance has been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so,” Tinubu affirmed.

The President also pledged to strengthen ties with the United States and other global partners to promote mutual understanding and protect all faith communities.

As Nigeria continues its fight against terrorism, both military and civilian leaders are urging unity and international support to safeguard peace and religious harmony across the nation.

Alleged Christian killings: Nigeria’s military denies Trump’s claims