Tensions between Washington and Abuja have intensified as U.S. President Donald Trump issued another stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, threatening visa restrictions and asset freezes on members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) over alleged complicity in Christian persecution and communal killings across northern Nigeria.
Speaking at a conservative political forum in Florida, Trump accused the Nigerian government of “turning a blind eye” to what he described as “systematic attacks on Christians.” He vowed that if re-elected, his administration would take “decisive action” to ensure accountability, including freezing financial assets of individuals or groups “found to be aiding violence under any religious pretext.”
The statement marks the second time in recent weeks that Trump has publicly criticised Nigeria, following his earlier comments linking Nigeria’s insecurity to religious intolerance. It has generated sharp reactions both in Abuja and among diplomatic circles.
In response, Nigerian officials described the comments as “inflammatory and unhelpful,” warning that they risk misrepresenting Nigeria’s complex security challenges. Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said, “President Tinubu’s government remains fully committed to protecting all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity. Simplistic narratives from abroad undermine our domestic peace efforts.”
The Miyetti Allah group has also denied the accusations, describing Trump’s remarks as politically motivated. In a press briefing in Abuja, MACBAN’s national secretary said the organisation is a lawful association of herders, not a terrorist group. “We are tired of being scapegoats for every rural conflict. Our members are victims of insecurity too,” he insisted.
International analysts say Trump’s latest comments could trigger diplomatic tension, particularly if Washington pursues targeted sanctions under U.S. human-rights legislation. While Trump currently holds no executive power, his statements continue to influence congressional and evangelical advocacy circles in the United States.
Experts warn that labeling internal communal conflicts as religious genocide risks oversimplifying Nigeria’s multi-dimensional insecurity, which involves criminal gangs, resource competition, and political rivalries. They advise both governments to prioritise diplomacy and intelligence-sharing rather than rhetorical escalation.
For President Tinubu, the challenge is to manage Nigeria’s global image while addressing genuine domestic grievances. His administration’s commitment to balanced religious dialogue and justice will be tested as Nigeria remains under close international scrutiny.