By Abu Adamu
United States President Donald Trump has declared that American forces are “annihilating” terrorists in Nigeria whom he accused of killing Christians in large numbers, even as Washington lawmakers condemned the abduction of more than 160 worshippers from churches in Kaduna State.
Trump made the remarks on Thursday at the Board of Peace signing ceremony held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, while outlining what he described as progress in global peace and security.
“Many good things are happening,” Trump said. “In Nigeria, we are annihilating terrorists who are killing Christians. We’ve hit them very hard. They’ve killed thousands and thousands of Christians…who does that!”
His comments came days after armed bandits attacked churches in the Kure area of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State during Sunday services, abducting more than 160 worshippers. Although the Kaduna State Government and the Nigeria Police Force initially denied the incident, authorities later confirmed on Wednesday that the abductions did occur.
Sources familiar with the incident said the abductors are demanding the return of 17 motorcycles, valued at about ₦28.9 million, allegedly seized during recent military operations, as a condition for releasing the victims.
Reacting sharply, the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, warning that Washington would not tolerate violence against Christians in Nigeria. In a statement posted on its verified X account, the committee said: “This past Sunday, Islamic terrorists in Nigeria raided churches and kidnapped more than 168 Christians. President Trump made it clear: We cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria. The United States will not tolerate the massacre of innocent Christians.”
The condemnation was echoed by the U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, who urged the Nigerian government to step up efforts to protect Christian communities and ensure freedom of worship. Hooker spoke during a high-level United States–Nigeria Working Group meeting held in Abuja, stressing that Nigerian authorities must do more to guarantee the safety of Christians and safeguard their constitutional right to practice their faith without fear.
Nigerian authorities, however, have consistently rejected the portrayal of the country’s security challenges as a religious war targeting Christians. The Federal Government maintains that terrorism and violent extremism affect all communities, regardless of faith, and that victims include Muslims, Christians and others.
Federal talking heads have always maintained that Nigeria’s insecurity is driven by a complex mix of terrorism, banditry and organised criminal violence, not a singular religious agenda.
However, the Kaduna abductions have only further hardened Washington’s rhetoric as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration continues to push back against what it sees as an oversimplified and potentially divisive narrative of a multifaceted security crisis.