Trump angry about Christian killings in Nigeria, threatens aid cuts
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President Donald Trump’s administration is stepping up this week to address violence against Christians in Nigeria after Trump criticized the country’s government for “doing nothing” to stop the killings.
“I’m really angry about this,” the president told Fox News Radio on Friday. “What happened in Nigeria is shameful.”
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu last week over Trump’s threat to cut off aid to Nigeria if it “continues to allow the killing of Christians.” Nigerian authorities withdrew the accusation.
“Hegseth emphasized the need for Nigeria to demonstrate resolve and take both immediate and sustained action to end violence against Christians, and conveyed the Department’s desire to work with, with, and through Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorists who threaten the United States,” the Pentagon said in a statement. he said.
TRUMP THREATENS TO STOP ALL US AID, ‘BAD’ MILITARY ATTACK IN NIGERIA DUE TO CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION
President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth are increasing pressure on Nigeria to stop the killing of Christians. (Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Jonathan Pratt, who runs the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, also testified before Congress on Thursday and said any Pentagon intervention would be part of a broader strategy.
“This will extend from security to policing to the economy,” he said. “We want to look at all these tools and have a comprehensive strategy to achieve the best possible outcome.”
GUNMAN PERSONS ATTACKED THE CHURCH IN NIGERIA, TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED, OTHERS WERE KIDNAPPED
Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj speaks during a panel discussion titled “Combating Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria” at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York City on November 18, 2025. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
Recent incidents in Nigeria include the mass abduction of more than 300 children and 12 teachers from a Catholic school on Friday, as well as a shooting at another church that left two people dead. The gunmen also kidnapped many congregants from the church.
The primary threat comes from the Islamist radical group Boko Haram and its splinter Islamic State in West Africa Province. Although the groups primarily target Christians, Muslims of other sects also face attacks.
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On Tuesday, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz held an event highlighting the ongoing violence in Nigeria. During the event, Waltz called the killing of Christians in Nigeria “a genocide masquerading as chaos.” The rap star joined him Nicki MinajCalling for religious freedom for all.
Fox News’ Rachel Wolf and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
