‘Diplomatic Spat’ With US Over Religious Violence Resolved – FG.

Minister of Information.

The Federal Government said on Monday that its recent diplomatic disagreement with the United States, during which President Donald Trump threatened military action over alleged killings of Christians, “has been largely resolved”.

“The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been largely resolved through a firm, respectful engagement culminating in a strengthened partnership between America and Nigeria,” the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said at a year-end media briefing in Abuja.

Recall that Trump issued warnings to Nigeria in October and November, alleging that Nigerian Christians were facing an “existential threat” that amounted to “genocide” amid the country’s numerous security challenges.

The diplomatic pressure was welcomed by some observers but was interpreted by others as potentially inflaming religious tensions in Africa’s most populous country, which has experienced episodes of sectarian violence in the past.

The Nigerian government and independent analysts have rejected framing the country’s insecurity as religious persecution, a narrative long promoted by the Christian right in the United States and Europe, as well as by Nigerian separatist groups with lobbying presence in Washington.

Idris’s remarks came after Nigeria hosted a United States congressional delegation earlier this month.

However, Nigeria remains on Washington’s list of countries of “particular concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom.

In addition, Nigeria was among the countries affected last week by visa and immigration restrictions announced by the Trump administration.

Despite this, there are signs of improving security cooperation, with analysts also observing an increase in US reconnaissance flights over known jihadist forest enclaves.

Nigeria’s multiple armed conflicts are complex and have claimed the lives of both Muslim and Christian civilians, often without distinction.

The country continues to face a long-running jihadist insurgency in the northeast, as well as armed bandit groups in the northwest that raid communities and carry out kidnappings for ransom.

In central Nigeria, clashes frequently occur between predominantly Muslim herders and mostly Christian farmers, although experts say the violence is driven by competition over land and resources rather than religion.

Speaking further with journalists, Idris also defended a recent aid agreement under which Washington will contribute $2.1 billion, which the State Department described as having “a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers.”

“Every Nigerian is going to be a beneficiary of this arrangement,” Idris said.