Nigeria’s government on Wednesday (Nov 5) rejected its designation by the United States as a “country of particular concern” for alleged violations of religious freedom, calling the decision misleading and based on inaccurate information. Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump reinstated Nigeria on the list of nations accused of restricting religious freedom and said on Saturday (Nov 1) he had instructed the Defense Department to prepare for potential “swift” military action if Nigeria failed to curb the killing of Christians.

The U.S. move has strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. At a press briefing, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said Trump’s threats of military action were unjustified and distorted Nigeria’s complex security situation. He emphasized that claims of government inaction on religious violence were founded on “misinformation or faulty data.” Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said on Monday that the country was battling terrorism rather than targeting Christians. The presidency added that Nigeria would accept U.S. assistance in fighting Islamist insurgents, provided its sovereignty was respected.

Idris noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had made major strides against terrorism since taking office in May 2023. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to cooperate with the U.S. and other allies to completely eradicate terrorism, stating that over 13,500 militants have been killed, 17,000 suspects detained, and more than 11,200 hostages—many of them women and children—freed.

Idris also stressed that terrorism in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims, and that the government remains committed to ending extremist violence through military action, regional partnerships, and international dialogue. Nigeria, home to more than 200 ethnic groups practicing Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions, has long maintained religious coexistence but continues to face sporadic violence rooted in ethnic and resource-based conflicts.