Nigerian Church Leaders React to Trump’s Warning

Nigerian church leaders have shared mixed feelings about former US President Donald Trump’s recent warning to take action to protect Christians in Nigeria.

Trump’s Statement Sparks Debate

On October 31, Trump said the United States had placed Nigeria back on its list of “countries of particular concern” because of growing attacks on Christians. He said Christianity in Nigeria was “facing an existential threat” and warned that the US could stop aid and even use military force if the killings continue.

“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

His comments quickly stirred debate across Nigeria, a country with nearly equal numbers of Christians and Muslims. Some Christians welcomed the move, hoping it would make the government act faster. Others feared it could create more division between the two major religions.

Church Leaders Call for Calm

Bishop Mathew Kukah of Sokoto, one of the regions most affected by violence, urged Nigerians to remain calm. He told Sunday Punch that people should wait to see what happens before reacting. “Let us see what lessons this brings for our country,” he said.

Kukah had earlier warned against placing Nigeria back on the list. He said it could harm efforts to build peace and trust between Christians and Muslims. According to him, such actions might increase fear and suspicion instead of promoting understanding.

Some Clergy Demand International Action

Not all church leaders agree with Bishop Kukah. Father Augustine Anwuchie, a Nigerian missionary priest working in Niger, said Nigeria cannot win the fight against terrorism under its current government. He accused the leaders of using violence for political gain and said global powers must hold them accountable.

“The nation burns while the leaders dance in the flames,” he told OSV News.

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Ongoing Violence in Northern Nigeria

Northern Nigeria has faced extremist attacks for years. Groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa have killed thousands of people. Smaller armed groups have joined the violence, spreading fear across rural areas. Armed Fulani herders have also clashed with Christian farmers in the Middle Belt, causing serious destruction.

A report by the Catholic group Intersociety in August said extremists kill about 32 Christians every day in Nigeria. The same report estimated that more than 7,000 Christians were murdered in the first 220 days of 2025. Since 2009, extremist attacks have claimed over 185,000 lives, including both Christians and moderate Muslims.

Emeka Umeagbalasi, director of the group, warned that if this continues, Christianity could disappear from Nigeria by 2075.

Calls for Justice and Peace

The Christian group Open Doors also said Christians face greater danger than Muslims in northern Nigeria. It reported that Christians are over six times more likely to be killed or kidnapped by extremists.

In the United States, the Orthodox Public Affairs Committee, known as OPAC, praised the Trump administration for taking action. Chairman George Gigicos said the move was long overdue. “The suffering of Christians in Nigeria has gone on for too long. We are thankful that the US government has recognized the seriousness of this crisis,” he said.

OPAC vice chairman Andrew Veniopoulos added that the matter is not political but moral. “It is about peace, justice, and the right to worship freely,” he said.

A Nation Tested by Violence

As Nigerian church leaders continue to debate Trump’s warning, one thing is clear. The growing violence and insecurity in the country remain a serious test of Nigeria’s unity and faith.