Nigeria Rejects Genocide Claims Amid Divided Reaction

Nigeria’s Defence Chief, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the Foreign Ministry have publicly rejected claims of systematic persecution or genocide of Christians, saying the country’s main security problems are terrorism and complex criminal, land and ethnic conflicts and noting recent military reforms under President Bola Tinubu to bolster counterterrorism. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of military intervention and disparaging remarks about Nigeria have been condemned as inflammatory and likely to inflame religious tensions. Commentators and activists are sharply divided—some cite thousands of Christian deaths and urge sanctions or a “Country of Particular Concern” designation, while analysts and data projects say many victims have been Muslim and warn against overstating sectarian targeting. Critics caution that foreign accusations risk politicization and mischief and note the Genocide Convention requires proof of specific intent, a high legal bar. Abuja says it welcomes international assistance against terrorism but warns that mischaracterizing the crisis could strain U.S.–Nigeria relations if Washington pursues punitive religious‑freedom measures.