President Trump on Friday accused radical Islamists of subjecting Christians to an “existential threat” in Nigeria, citing “mass slaughter” and urging urgent U.S. intervention. The former president declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” stating, “When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria… something must be done.”

Trump directed Congressman Riley Moore and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the persecution, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to act against what he described as “atrocities” globally. Moore, a Republican representative from West Virginia, praised Trump’s statement, calling it a critical step in addressing the crisis. He highlighted that over 7,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria this year alone, with reports of churches destroyed and government complicity in violence.

Moore’s letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded Nigeria’s reinstatement as a CPC, citing 19,100 church attacks since 2009 and claims that extremist groups like Boko Haram have targeted Christians systematically. The congressman noted specific incidents, including the murder of a priest on Ash Wednesday and 54 martyrs on Palm Sunday, asserting Nigeria has become “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian.”

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s spokesperson dismissed such claims as “careless rhetoric,” insisting the country confronts terrorism rather than a religious genocide. Meanwhile, U.S. officials acknowledged concerns over violence against Christians but stopped short of endorsing Trump’s designation. The debate underscores growing international scrutiny of Nigeria’s handling of sectarian conflicts.