Nigeria rejects allegations as Nicki Minaj, Trump decry Christian killings

Nigeria rejects allegations as Nicki Minaj, Trump decry Christian killings

American rap superstar Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, widely known as Nicki Minaj, has added her influential voice to growing international appeals for urgent action to curb escalating attacks by insurgents and armed groups across Nigeria.

Speaking on Tuesday at a United States Mission to the United Nations conference titled “Combating Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria,” Minaj stressed that no person or community should ever suffer persecution because of their religious beliefs.

The Grammy-winning artist said her involvement is rooted in a desire to promote unity and justice, not division.

“I want to make it very clear, once again, that this isn’t about taking sides. This is about standing up in the face of injustice. It’s about what I’ve always stood for,” she said.

Minaj thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for drawing global attention to the plight of Christians in Nigeria, urging coordinated international action to fight religious extremism and protect threatened communities.

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“Faith is under attack in way too many places in Nigeria. Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed. Churches have been burned, families torn apart, and entire communities now live in fear simply because of how they pray,” she said.

U.S. UN Ambassador Mike Waltz commended Minaj for using her global platform to demand accountability and support for victims of religious violence in Nigeria.

Her remarks follow Trump’s recent declaration listing Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” due to what he described as targeted attacks on Christians. He warned that continued killings could lead to severe U.S. sanctions and possible military intervention.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding that U.S. forces may intervene to “wipe out” the terrorists responsible.

However, the Nigerian government has rejected claims of targeted religious persecution.
Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa said Nigeria remains a country that respects religious freedom, diversity, and peaceful coexistence.

He emphasized that insecurity affects Nigerians of different regions and faiths, and the government is committed to restoring peace nationwide.

Nigeria rejects allegations as Nicki Minaj, Trump decry Christian killings