Nigeria rejects Trump’s claims on Christian killings

The country’s foreign minister has said religious persecution is “impossible,” given constitutional guarantees on freedom of faith

Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s claim about the killing of Christians in the West African nation, warning against any rhetoric that could fuel the partition of the country along religious or tribal lines.

The diplomat displayed a document titled ‘Nigeria’s Constitutional Commitment to Religious Freedom and Rule of Law’ to reporters at a news conference in Berlin on Tuesday, noting it outlines what the country’s constitution stipulates about religious freedom.

“This is what shows it’s impossible for there to be a religious persecution that can be supported in any way, shape or form by the government of Nigeria at any level,” he said during a joint briefing with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

Trump designated Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ on Saturday, warning of potential strikes to “protect” Christians. He claimed that “record numbers” of Christians are being killed in Africa’s most populous country.

READ MORE: Nigeria doesn’t need American boots on our soil – presidential adviser

The move followed a request to the Trump administration by US Congressman Riley Moore, who alleged that more than 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria this year alone, with hundreds more kidnapped, tortured, or displaced by extremist groups. Senator Ted Cruz also accused the Nigerian government of enabling a “massacre” against Christians and has introduced a bill that he said “would target these officials with powerful sanctions and other tools.” According to Cruz, 50,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009, with 2,000 schools and 18,000 churches destroyed by “Islamist jihadists.”

Nigerian officials have acknowledged the country’s security challenges, tied to groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province.

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On Saturday, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said his government “opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it,” adding that Abuja is committed to working with the US “to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths.”

Abuja has, however, dismissed the prospect of any unilateral US military intervention. Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Tinubu, told RT in an exclusive interview on Monday that Washington must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and instead provide support through equipment and intelligence sharing.