Nigeria, Nov. 1 -- Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna Central District senator, has called US President Donald Trump's claims about Christian genocide in Nigeria false and intended to sow discord and hatred between the two predominant religious groups in Nigeria.

Mr Sani responded to the American president's claim in a statement on Saturday.

"President Trump's declaration of Nigeria as 'a country of particular concern' is triggered, founded and predicated on outrightly false, misleading and mischievous narratives and misinformation aimed at sowing the seeds and fanning the embers of division, discord and discontent in our country," Mr Sani said.

Mr Trump said on Saturday he had decided to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, ...