Religious rights group praises Trump’s declaration on persecution of Christians in Nigeria
Concern about persecution of Christians in Nigeria has increased in recent years. Late last month, President Donald Trump announced the designation of the African nation as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998.
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” he posted on social media. “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 vs. 4,476 worldwide), something must be done. I am hereby making Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
The label identifies nations where the government engages in or tolerates particularly severe violations of religious freedom, which may lead to targeted U.S. sanctions, aid restrictions, arms-sales restrictions or diplomatic pressure. The move reverses the Biden administration’s 2021 removal of the designation and reinstates one Trump had issued during his first term.
This action aligns with Trump’s longstanding emphasis on protecting persecuted Christians, as seen in his 2018 White House meeting with former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari. Dede Laugesen, president and CEO of Save the Persecuted Christians, praised Trump’s statement on Nigeria.
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“We are enormously grateful for President Trump and his resolute commitment to defend persecuted Christians in Nigeria, in the United Stats and in so many other places around the world,” she said. “While this battle has been won, it doesn’t end the war. Genocide is happening in Nigeria. This genocide must be investigated and brought to a swift end. Christian hostages, like Leah Sharibu, must be rescued. Villages, farms and homes taken over with impunity by Fulani militants and other terrorists must be reclaimed and returned to their rightful owners so the millions of internally displaced people can finally go home. And the United States must stop the over $1 billion in arms sales to Nigeria until tangible action is taken to end the violence against Nigeria’s Christian citizens.”
More information about persecution of Christians in Nigeria and other nations is available www.savethepersecutedchristians.org.
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice
Photo: Dede Laugesen, Save the Persecuted Christians
