The Catholic Diocese of Auchi tragically confirmed the death of seminarian Emmanuel Alabi, one of three students abducted from the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivianokpodi during an attack by armed men on July 10, 2025. While two other seminarians, Japhet Jesse and Joshua Aleobua, were safely released on November 4, 2025, Alabi unfortunately lost his life during the ordeal. Most Rev. Gabriel G. Dunia, Bishop of Auchi Diocese, expressed profound sorrow over the loss and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to protect citizens' lives and property. He also admonished political leaders to prioritize the safety and well-being of the populace over political ambitions, especially with the 2027 elections approaching.

This incident unfolded amidst heightened international scrutiny regarding alleged religiously linked violence in Nigeria, particularly from the United States. US President Donald Trump escalated the situation by ordering the US military to prepare for "possible action" in Nigeria, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from attacks by Islamist militant groups. In a post on social media, Trump asserted that Christianity faces an "existential threat" in Nigeria due to "radical Islamists" committing "mass slaughter." He explicitly threatened to halt all US aid and assistance to Nigeria and consider military intervention, stating, "If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, 'guns-a-blazing,' to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities." US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed the Department of War's preparation for action. Trump's threats followed his administration's decision to re-designate Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) for violating religious freedoms, placing it alongside nations like China, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, and Pakistan. White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reiterated these threats, emphasizing a potential halt to aid and military action.

The Nigerian government, however, vehemently rejected these allegations. President Bola Tinubu, upon summoning all foreign diplomats, reiterated Nigeria's democratic commitment to religious liberty, denying any genocide against Christians. He affirmed his administration's active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders since 2023, stressing efforts to address security challenges affecting all citizens irrespective of religious affiliation. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the US claims as misleading and inaccurate, clarifying on CNN that criminals target both Christians and Muslims across the country, particularly in the north. He warned that such narratives could inflame religious tensions and play into the hands of criminals seeking to incite conflict. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, a Christian with a human rights advocacy background, strongly refuted Trump's claims in an open letter. He asserted that Christians are not specifically targeted for persecution in Nigeria, and highlighted President Tinubu's inclusive leadership, noting that Tinubu's wife is a pastor and many of his children and appointed service chiefs are Christians. Keyamo emphasized Nigeria's secular constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion for all, and urged the US to prioritize cooperation and accurate information over external narratives.

International bodies and other US officials also weighed in on the controversy. China, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning, declared unwavering support for Nigeria, firmly opposing any country using religion and human rights as a pretext to interfere in other nations' internal affairs or threaten them with sanctions and force. US Representative Riley Moore, however, dismissed China's stance, defending Trump's commitment to defending persecuted Christians and criticizing China as a "Communist autocracy." The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union (EU) both reaffirmed their support for Nigeria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging the international community to stand with the region in its fight against terrorism. EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Gautier Mignot, stressed the EU's solidarity with Nigeria, its victims of violence, and its authorities working to protect citizens across religious and ethnic divides.

Domestically, various voices joined the debate. US Senator Ted Cruz thanked Trump for the CPC designation and vowed to identify Nigerian officials he believes are sponsoring "Christian genocide," claiming that "no country on earth that Christians are more persecuted than Nigeria." In Nigeria, actor IK Ogbonna questioned the outrage among Nigerians over Trump's threat, suggesting that foreign assistance to combat insurgency, which Nigeria has struggled with for years, should be welcomed. The Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Think Yoruba First (TYF), urged President Tinubu to seek a middle ground for effective collaboration with the United States, particularly in intelligence sharing and acquiring advanced security equipment. TYF also called for a decentralization of Nigeria's security architecture, arguing that the centralized system is unsustainable and makes coups easier, while empowering sub-nationals would improve manpower, response time, and intelligence gathering.