Trump Clarifies He Targets Terrorists, Not Nigerians, Amid Rising Concerns Over Religious Violence in Northern States

 

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has clarified that United States President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on violence against Christians in Nigeria were aimed at terrorists, not the Nigerian people. Reverend Joseph Hayab, chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, emphasized that Trump’s comments were misrepresented in media reports and stressed the importance of addressing the underlying issue of religiously motivated violence.

Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television, Hayab explained that Trump never threatened military action against Nigeria. He noted that the president merely urged the Nigerian government to take decisive steps to confront terrorists targeting Christian communities. “Listening to what Trump said, Trump never said he was going to come to fight Nigeria. There’s a twisting of all these things,” Hayab said. “Trump simply said, ‘Go after these terrorists; if you don’t go after them, we can come and go after them.’ So, who is afraid of Trump coming to Nigeria?”

Hayab further stressed that acknowledging the reality of attacks against Christians is essential for national reconciliation and peace. He highlighted that victims’ cries must be recognized as genuine, pointing out that extremists have carried out violence under the guise of religion. “You can’t tell someone who is a victim, who is in pain, that his cries are not true,” he said. “Once we stop doing that, then we’ll find a solution. Let’s admit that people came and killed Christians, and they came in the name of religion. They came as Islamic fundamentalists.”

While emphasizing the distinction between extremists and the broader Muslim community, Hayab underscored that Christians are not blaming all Muslims for the violence. He clarified that the attacks are carried out by terrorists exploiting religion to justify their actions. “No Christian is saying Muslims had a meeting and asked people to go and kill them, but Christians are saying that fundamentalists, terrorists came in the name of Islam and killed Christians. When we acknowledge that fact, then we’ve started a journey of healing,” he added.

The CAN chairman also urged empathy and open dialogue among Nigerians, calling for honest conversations to restore trust and national unity. He encouraged government officials to take reports of religious killings seriously and engage directly with affected communities to rebuild confidence. Addressing critics who framed Trump’s comments as part of a political agenda, Hayab insisted that the priority should be addressing the grievances of victims rather than questioning motives. “Before you tell me about Trump’s agenda, have you shown concern when I was burying people in large numbers?” he asked. “If you fail to act and Trump says he’s coming, let him come, at least it will show you’re not the only one watching.”

Trump’s statement followed numerous reports of sectarian attacks in northern Nigeria, including incidents in Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, and other states. The remarks, which drew global attention, have sparked renewed calls for the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to protect religious minorities and ensure justice for victims. Religious leaders continue to emphasize that recognition, dialogue, and decisive government action are key to ending the cycle of violence and fostering national healing.