JUST IN: Donald Trump Orders Probe Into Recent Insecurity In Nigeria, Blasts Tinubu

United States President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into the escalating wave of insecurity in Nigeria, following a series of damning remarks in which he described the country as “a disgrace” and accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of failing to protect its citizens.

Speaking on Fox News Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show, Trump criticised Nigeria’s leadership, alleging that killings across the country amount to genocide. He claimed the Nigerian government has been “very ineffective” in addressing the crisis and threatened to halt U.S. subsidies to the West African nation.

“I think Nigeria is a disgrace. The whole thing is a disgrace. They’re killing people by the thousands. It’s a genocide… The government’s done nothing. They are very ineffective,” Trump said.

His comments come just two weeks after he redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, citing continued religious persecution and widespread violence. Trump revealed that he directed U.S. Congressman Riley Moore to probe the security situation in Nigeria and report back to him urgently.

In response to the growing diplomatic tension, President Tinubu dispatched a high-powered delegation to the U.S. last week. Led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the team met top officials in Trump’s government, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, to present Nigeria’s efforts in tackling insurgency, banditry, and religious violence.

However, since Trump’s recent outburst, insecurity in Nigeria has intensified. Last week, Boko Haram ambushed and killed a Brigadier-General and several soldiers in Borno State. On Monday, bandits abducted 25 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, killing the school’s Vice-Principal and injuring a security guard.

In another attack, gunmen invaded a church in Eruku town, Kwara State, killing one worshipper and abducting others. Just days later, heavily armed insurgents raided St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, abducting over 300 students and 12 staff members.

While Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, suggested there may be a connection between Trump’s harsh rhetoric and the spike in attacks, security analysts say it remains unclear whether the timing is coincidental or linked.