US President Donald Trump has criticized the Nigerian government for failing to protect Christians from ongoing attacks, warning that continued inaction could lead to the withdrawal of American financial assistance.

Trump made the remarks in an audio message aired on Fox News Radio’s The Brian Kilmeade Show, describing the situation in Nigeria as “a genocide” and expressing frustration at what he called the government’s ineffectiveness. He added that the crisis had received little attention until he raised it publicly.

“We give a lot of subsidy to Nigeria. We are going to end up stopping. The government has done nothing. They are very ineffective. They are killing Christians at will,” Trump said.

The US president has previously designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over the alleged targeting of Christians, calling it an “existential threat” to the faith in the country. He warned that failure to curb the killings could prompt a swift US response.

In response, the Nigerian government sent a delegation to Washington, DC, to hold talks with US officials. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu led the team, which included Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede; and Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye.

The delegation met with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon, where discussions focused on Nigeria taking decisive action against attacks targeting Christians. US Congressman Riley Moore also met with the team, describing talks on counterterrorism and protection of vulnerable communities as “frank, honest, and productive.”

The comments by Trump have intensified scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation and placed the government under international pressure to act.