United States President Donald Trump has claimed that American forces are actively targeting and defeating terrorist groups in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Board of Peace signing ceremony held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump said the US was “annihilating terrorists” whom he accused of killing large numbers of Christians in Nigeria.
According to him, the actions form part of broader global peace and security efforts being championed by the United States.
However, Nigerian authorities have repeatedly rejected the framing of the country’s security challenges along religious lines.
The Federal Government maintains that terrorism, banditry and organised criminal violence affect Nigerians of all faiths and communities.
Top security officials, including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Service Chiefs, have consistently said Nigeria’s insecurity is driven by complex criminal and extremist activities, not a religious agenda.
At the event, President Trump also spoke on the Middle East, insisting that Gaza must be demilitarised and rebuilt, while warning militant groups to disarm.
He said the newly launched Board of Peace was attracting global attention and would soon expand its membership.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Nigerian government to President Trump’s latest remarks.
