US President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Nigeria, describing the country as “a disgrace” due to escalating insecurity.
Trump, who recently redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” made the remarks on Fox News Radio, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to stop widespread killings.
“They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s genocide. The government is very ineffective,” he said, adding that the US may end subsidies to Nigeria.
His comments coincide with President Bola Tinubu’s dispatch of a high-level delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to Washington to present Nigeria’s security efforts to US officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
The tension between both governments comes amid a series of deadly attacks across Nigeria. Boko Haram recently ambushed troops in Borno, killing a Brigadier-General.
In Kebbi, gunmen abducted 25 female students and killed school officials, while attacks in Kwara and Niger claimed more lives and led to mass abductions.
Though SGF George Akume linked rising attacks to Trump’s recent stance, it remains unclear whether the spike in violence is connected or coincidental.
Security agencies are currently battling multiple coordinated threats across the country.
