“You caused it” — Nigerian govt blames Trump for abductions in Kwara church

The Federal Government has blamed the fresh terror attacks, including the abduction of students in Kebbi state and the assault on a church in Eruku, Kwara State, on recent remarks by United States.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, claimed that Trump’s posts alleging “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and threatening to deploy US troops had “inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups” now seeking to justify attacks on soft targets.
“Recent pronouncements from the United States have inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives and make bold statements by attacking soft targets,” Akume said on Wednesday.
Addressing the evolution of violent extremism, banditry and ongoing security challenges in the country, the SGF added, “Before these statements, insurgency structures had been significantly degraded and reduced to isolated banditry.
“This resurgence underscores the vital need for collaboration, not public labelling, between Nigeria and the United States.”
Trump had, in a series of posts on X between October 30 and November 1, 2025, designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over allegations of a Christian genocide.
The US President warned that he might deploy American forces to Nigeria if the alleged killings of Christians did not stop.