Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump over his recent remarks alleging a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, describing the statement as uninformed and reflective of a poor understanding of the country’s complex realities.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Ndume argued that Nigeria’s insecurity cannot be framed along religious lines, noting that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of violence across various regions, particularly in areas plagued by Boko Haram and other insurgent activities.

“The idea that only Christians are being killed depends on the location of the attacks,” Ndume explained. “In Christian-dominated communities, the victims are likely to be Christians; in Muslim-majority regions, Muslims tend to be the casualties.”

He faulted Trump for what he described as a simplistic and inaccurate portrayal of Nigeria’s security situation, adding that the decision to label Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” based on such claims overlooks the broader and more complex nature of the crisis.

Ndume also disclosed that he had sponsored a motion in the Senate to correct what he termed “misconceptions” about religious violence in Nigeria and to promote diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the mischaracterisation of the country’s situation on the international stage.