VOA

Lagos, Nigeria

The government has dismissed remarks by the U.S. President Donald Trump alleging widespread killings of Christians in Nigeria. Trump said that the African nation would be added to the Department of State list of "Countries of Particular Concern."

The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Trump’s claim that extremist groups were killing thousands of Christians on a large scale as inaccurate and unreflective of the true security situation in Nigeria. The ministry said that religious freedom has not been impeded in Nigeria and Christians have the freedom to practice their faith across the country.

The U.S. designation comes after weeks of campaigns and demands by some Republican lawmakers for the U.S. to sanction Nigeria for allowing the "persecution of Christians." Nigeria was first designated a CPC in 2020 during Mr Trump’s first administration. This tag was, however, withdrawn in 2021 under the Joe Biden administration.