By Our Reporter
US President Donald Trump has lashed out again at the Nigerian government over its apparent failure to curb the massacre of Christians in the country. Trump warned that continued violence could lead to severe consequences and the withdrawal of American financial support.
The US President made the remarks in an audio message aired on Fox News Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show on Friday.
“I think Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace. They are killing people by the thousands. It is a genocide, and I am really angry about it,” Trump said, adding that the crisis went largely unnoticed until he raised the alarm. He accused Nigerian authorities of being ineffective in curbing the violence and said the US may stop subsidies if the killings continue.
Recall that Trump had earlier declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over the alleged attacks, claiming that Christianity is “facing an existential threat” in the country. He warned that if the government fails to halt the violence, the American response would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
The United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu at the Pentagon.
In a press statement made available at the official website of the US Government Department of War, the Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs and Senior Advisor Sean Parnell said both leaders discussed ways to make tangible progress on stopping violence against Christians in Nigeria and combatting West African jihadist terrorist groups.
Secretary Hegseth emphasized the need for Nigeria to demonstrate commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians and conveyed the Department’s desire to work by, with, and through Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.
The Nigerian delegation included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye, among others.
With reports from TDP News