In Kaduna, one of northwestern Nigeria’s states most affected by violence involving both Muslims and Christians, leading Muslim cleric Ahmad Gumi warned that US President Donald Trump’s comments risk further inflaming tensions.
“There are a lot of Christians who know that the narrative is wrong. It is a misrepresentation of reality on the ground,” Gumi told Reuters.
Without providing evidence, Trump accused Nigeria of persecuting Christians and announced on Truth Social last weekend that his administration would immediately halt all aid and assistance to Africa’s most populous country and top oil producer.
“If the United States sends in military forces, it would go in ‘guns-a-blazing’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar rejected Trump’s accusation, saying Tuesday that state involvement in religious persecution is “impossible” under the country’s laws and constitution.
“This shows that it’s impossible for there to be religious persecution supported in any way, shape, or form by the government of Nigeria at any level,” he said.
Nigeria says it would welcome US assistance in fighting armed groups, so long as its territorial integrity is respected.
Home to more than 200 ethnic groups practicing Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions, Nigeria has a strong history of coexistence, despite periodic violence often driven by ethnic divisions or competition for scarce resources.
Add comment