The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, Reverend Joseph Hayab, has clarified that US President Donald Trump’s recent comments on Christian killings in Nigeria were misrepresented. Speaking on The Morning Show on Arise Television on Wednesday, Hayab emphasized that Trump did not threaten to invade Nigeria but instead urged the government to act decisively against terrorists targeting Christians. Okay News reports.
“Listening carefully to what Trump said, he never mentioned coming to fight Nigeria. There’s a twisting of his words. He 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 stated.
The cleric stressed that acknowledging attacks on Christians is crucial for national healing. He urged government officials to engage in sincere dialogue with victims instead of dismissing their pain.
“You cannot tell someone who is suffering that their cries are not real. Once we admit the truth, then we can find solutions. People came and killed Christians in the name of religion. They came as Islamic fundamentalists. No Christian claims Muslims collectively decided to commit these acts, but fundamentalist terrorists came and killed Christians. Recognizing this fact is the first step toward healing,” Hayab added.
Hayab also highlighted the importance of empathy and mutual understanding for restoring trust in Nigeria. “When we start talking and genuinely understanding each other’s pain, people will trust the conversations we bring to the table,” he said.
The comments come after Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations, citing a severe threat to Christianity, particularly in the north, where radical Islamist groups such as Boko Haram have targeted Christian communities. Trump later directed the newly renamed US Department of War to prepare for “fast, vicious” military action and threatened to cut all US aid if Nigeria failed to address the crisis effectively.
President Bola Tinubu dismissed these claims as misleading, emphasizing that violence in Nigeria’s north-central region results from complex conflicts, including herder-farmer disputes, banditry, and extremism affecting both Muslims and Christians. Tinubu, however, welcomed collaborative counter-terrorism measures that respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Reacting to critics who suggested Trump’s warning reflected an American agenda, Hayab said Nigerian leaders should focus on addressing victims’ grievances first. “Before discussing Trump’s agenda, have you shown concern when people were being buried in large numbers? If you fail to act and Trump says he’s coming, let him come—it will at least show you are not the only ones watching,” he remarked.
