China has slammed President Trump over U.S. Military threat against Nigeria and called it “Religious Interference”.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Chinese government has strongly condemned the United States’ threat of military intervention in Nigeria, describing it as an act of interference disguised as concern for religion and human rights.
According to China Daily, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning made the remarks during a press briefing on Tuesday, stating that Beijing “firmly opposes any country using religion or human rights as a pretext to meddle in another nation’s internal affairs.”
Her statement comes after the Trump administration’s State Department listed Nigeria among nations accused of failing to protect religious freedoms — citing alleged mass killings of Christians, a claim the Nigerian government has consistently denied.
“As a comprehensive strategic partner, China firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on a development path suited to its national conditions,” Mao said.
“We oppose any country using religion or human rights as an excuse to interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, and reject threats of sanctions or military coercion,” she added.
Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had instructed the Pentagon to prepare plans for potential military intervention in Nigeria, claiming the Nigerian government had failed to curb violence against Christians.
In a fiery post on his Truth Social account, Trump decried what he called the “mass slaughter” of Christians in Nigeria and warned that the U.S. would “immediately stop all aid and assistance” unless the killings ceased.
Responding, President Bola Tinubu dismissed the U.S. allegations, saying the description of Nigeria as religiously intolerant “does not reflect our national reality.” His media aide, Bayo Onanuga, criticized Washington’s position as a “gross exaggeration,” stressing that violence in Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims alike.
Public Reaction
The U.S. military threat has sparked widespread debate among Nigerians.
While some citizens warned against foreign interference, citing sovereignty and the risk of further destabilization, others called for deeper security cooperation with the U.S. through intelligence sharing and training — not force.
A smaller group backed limited international intervention using advanced surveillance technology. However, the majority of Nigerians urged the government to reform internal security systems and strengthen local policing rather than invite external military involvement.