US President Donald Trump has criticised Nigeria, describing the country as “a disgrace” and accusing the federal government of failing to protect its citizens.
Speaking on Fox News Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show on Friday, Trump said: “I think Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace. They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s a genocide. And I’m really angry about it.”
He also questioned U.S. support for Nigeria, adding: “And we pay, you know, we give a lot of subsidy to Nigeria which we’re going to end up stopping. The government’s done nothing. They are very ineffective. They’re killing Christians at will. And you know until I got involved in it two weeks ago — nobody even talked about it.”
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Trump’s remarks come amid growing international attention on escalating violence in Nigeria, where armed groups, bandits, and extremist fighters have carried out mass killings, kidnappings, and attacks on villages.
On Friday, gunmen struck St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers, according to the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that tactical police units, military forces, and other security agencies have been deployed to the area.
The incident follows the recent abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State. During that attack, Vice-Principal Hassan Makuku was killed, and security guard Ali Shehu sustained a gunshot injury to his right hand.
Earlier this month, on November 1, Trump had threatened potential U.S. military action in Nigeria over the alleged persecution of Christians, highlighting the growing concern in Washington over the country’s worsening security situation.