Nigeria’s government on Wednesday rejected the United States’ decision to label it a “country of particular concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom, saying the move was based on flawed information and inaccurate data.
President Donald Trump reinstated Nigeria on the list last week and warned that Washington could take swift military action if Abuja failed to stop attacks on Christians. The designation has strained relations between the two countries.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris dismissed Trump’s threats as unjustified, saying they misrepresented Nigeria’s complex security situation. “Any suggestion that the Nigerian state is failing to act against religious attacks is founded on misinformation or faulty data,” he said.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said the country was confronting terrorism rather than religious persecution, while the presidency noted it would welcome U.S. assistance against Islamist militants, provided national sovereignty was respected.
Idris said President Bola Tinubu’s administration had achieved major progress since May 2023, citing the deaths of more than 13,500 militants, the arrest of 17,000 suspects, and the rescue of over 11,200 hostages. He stressed that terrorism affects both Christians and Muslims, and that the government remains committed to eradicating extremism through military action, regional partnerships, and dialogue.
Home to more than 200 ethnic groups practising Islam, Christianity, and traditional faiths, Nigeria has a long history of coexistence but continues to experience sporadic violence, often driven by ethnic rivalries and resource competition.
Portugal’s moderate Socialist Antonio José Seguro won the presidency on Sunday, defeating far-right challenger André Ventura in a runoff vote that...
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The Board of Peace created by U.S. President Donald Trump will hold its first leaders meeting on 19 February in Washington, a U.S. government official...
Two adjoining buildings collapsed in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, on Sunday (4 February), killing at least six people and trapping an unspecified number beneath the rubble, according to security sources.
India’s trade minister said diversifying energy imports and expanding purchases of advanced technology from the United States would serve New Delhi’s strategic interests, as the two countries move closer to finalising a long-awaited trade agreement.
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have discussed an ambitious March goal for Russia and Ukraine to agree on a peace deal, though that timeline is likely to slip given a lack of agreement on the key issue of territory, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
Police in riot gear pushed toward a group of protesters who launched fireworks, flares and smoke bombs during a demonstration in Milan on Saturday, as the city hosted events on the first full day of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Storm Leonardo hit Spain and Portugal on Tuesday, forcing more than 11,000 people from their homes, as a man in Portugal died after his car was swept away by floodwaters and a second body was found in Malaga.
Iran would retaliate by striking U.S. military bases across the Middle East if it comes under attack by American forces, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday (7 January), stressing that such action should not be seen as targeting the countries hosting those bases.
At least 31 people have been killed and scores wounded in a suicide bombing at a mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, during Friday prayers, prompting widespread international condemnation.
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have discussed an ambitious goal of reaching a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by March, though the timeline is widely viewed as unrealistic due to deep disagreements over territory, according to multiple sources familiar with the talks.
A Japanese city near Mount Fuji has cancelled its annual cherry blossom festival, saying growing numbers of badly behaved tourists are disrupting daily life for residents.
U.S. President Donald Trump has criticised American freestyle skier Hunter Hess after the athlete said he felt conflicted about representing the United States at the Winter Olympics in Italy, sparking a public clash that highlights growing political tensions surrounding the Games.
Portugal’s moderate Socialist Antonio José Seguro won the presidency on Sunday, defeating far-right challenger André Ventura in a runoff vote that confirmed polls pointing to a decisive victory despite weather disruptions and voter fatigue.
India’s trade minister said diversifying energy imports and expanding purchases of advanced technology from the United States would serve New Delhi’s strategic interests, as the two countries move closer to finalising a long-awaited trade agreement.
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have discussed an ambitious March goal for Russia and Ukraine to agree on a peace deal, though that timeline is likely to slip given a lack of agreement on the key issue of territory, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says the country is accelerating investments to enhance its connectivity and transit functions, with key road links set for completion by 2030.
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