The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has accused the Nigerian government of failing to curb the rising wave of deadly attacks across the country, warning that Washington may withdraw financial support if the situation persists.
Speaking in an audio message aired on Fox News Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show, Trump said the scale of killings in Nigeria amounted to genocide, insisting that the government had shown little capacity to end the violence.
“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.
He criticised the Nigerian authorities for being, in his words, “very ineffective,” adding that the United States “gives a lot of subsidy to Nigeria” that could be suspended if the government does not take urgent action.
Trump claimed that global attention on the crisis only intensified after he raised concerns publicly.
The remarks come as insecurity continues to escalate in several parts of the country, with communities reporting attacks linked to bandits, extremist groups, and armed militias.
The comments also follow heightened diplomatic engagements between both countries. Earlier this week, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, at the Pentagon, urging Nigeria to adopt tougher measures to protect vulnerable communities.
US Congressman Riley Moore also held talks with the Nigerian delegation in Washington, describing their discussions on counterterrorism and civilian protection as “frank, honest, and productive.”
Senior members of 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 (SAN); Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olayemi; and Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye.
Trump has previously classified Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious-based attacks, warning that the United States would respond “fast, vicious, and sweet” if the Nigerian government fails to halt the killings.
