Trump Says Boko Haram and ISIS Still Operate Unchecked Across Parts of Nigeria

Former United States President Donald Trump has criticized Nigeria over the continued presence and activities of Boko Haram, the Islamic State, and other extremist groups within the country. He referenced the operations of these jihadist organizations as a key reason Nigeria was included among countries facing new U.S. travel restrictions.

In a proclamation issued on Tuesday, Trump stated that extremist Islamic groups, including Boko Haram and ISIS, continue to function with relative freedom in certain regions of Nigeria. He argued that this security concern played a major role in the policy decision.

Another factor cited was Nigeria’s visa overstay data. According to the report, Nigerians recorded a 5.56 percent overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visas, while the overstay rate for F, M, and J visas stood at 11.90 percent. Despite these figures, analysts believe terrorism concerns outweighed immigration violations, as Nigeria ranks among the countries with the lowest overstay rates on the restricted list.

A White House fact sheet reviewed by DAILY POST showed that several other African nations recorded significantly higher overstay figures. Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, and Tanzania all posted higher percentages across various visa categories.

Observers say Trump’s decision did not come as a surprise, noting his recent public focus on deadly attacks targeting Christians in Nigeria. On October 31, he officially classified Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act, citing serious violations of religious rights.

Trump also previously warned that the United States could consider military intervention to neutralize terrorist groups operating in Nigeria, a statement that drew global reactions, including responses from China and Russia. In November, his administration led a United Nations discussion on violence against Christians in Nigeria, during which American rapper Nicki Minaj participated after publicly supporting the campaign.

That same month, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz attributed Nigeria’s violence to Boko Haram and more than 20 other Islamist extremist groups. In December, Congressman Riley Moore visited Nigeria with a U.S. delegation, describing the situation as devastating and announcing plans for a new security strategy to confront Boko Haram, ISIS, and what he termed widespread persecution of Christians in the Middle Belt.