The Federal Government of Nigeria has rejected the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), describing his claims of genocide against Christians as inaccurate and misleading.

Trump had announced the designation on Thursday, October 31, alleging that Christianity in Nigeria was facing an “existential threat.”

In a post shared on social media, the former U.S. president wrote:

“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — but that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 worldwide), something must be done.”

Trump also said he had directed Congressman Riley Moore and Chairman Tom Cole of the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the matter and report back to him.

Reacting to the statement, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, said Trump’s comments do not reflect the reality on the ground.

“Nigeria notes the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’” the statement read.

“While Nigeria appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, these claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.”

The statement added that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria remains fully committed to combating terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the rights and lives of all citizens.

“Nigeria will continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts,” it concluded.