Many Nigerians, including diplomats, lawyers and regional groups, have denounced American President Donald Trump’s threat of a military invasion of the country over alleged Christians’ genocide.
Diplomats, who spoke to Daily Trust yesterday, disagreed to any military action by the US, but urged the federal government to end the insecurity.
They also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint ambassadors.
President Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X yesterday, said his principal was well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America. He said the president had on Thursday told the new service chiefs what Nigerians expected of them.
The Presidency has also disclosed that Tinubu will meet with the American president in the coming days to discuss the allegations.
Trump had on Friday redesignated Nigeria as a country of particular concern and warned that ‘if the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA 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.’
He had also instructed the US Department of War to prepare for possible action.
Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of War, had on X on Saturday said the Department of War was preparing for action.
Trump’s threat was sequel to allegations by an American lawmaker, Ted Cruz, in an X post on October 7, that 50,000 Christians had been killed since 2009 with 2,000 schools and 18,000 churches destroyed by what he called ‘Islamist’ armed groups. Cruz, however, did not cite the sources of his information.
In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on Saturday rejected Trump’s description of Nigeria, insisting that the country remains a democracy grounded in constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and belief.
According to him, Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.
He said since 2023, his administration had maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges affecting citizens across faiths and regions.
‘The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.
‘Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.
‘Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths.
‘Our administration is committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths,’ Tinubu had stated.
The Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement Saturday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, had said: ‘The Federal Government of Nigeria notes the recent remarks by U.S. President Donald J. Trump alleging large-scale killings of Christians in Nigeria and calling for the country’s designation as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’
‘While Nigeria appreciates global concern for human rights and religious freedom, these claims do not reflect the situation on the ground. Nigerians of all faiths have long lived, worked, and worshipped together peacefully.
‘Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria remains committed to fighting terrorism, strengthening interfaith harmony, and protecting the lives and rights of all its people.
‘Nigeria will continue to engage constructively with the Government of the United States to deepen mutual understanding of regional dynamics and the country’s ongoing peace and security efforts.’
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Muslims also being killed – Middle Belt Forum
Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, the president of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Bitrus Pogu, noted that Muslims, just like Christians, are also killed by terrorists in the country.
He said the US threat was just a wake-up call for the Nigerian government to defeat the terrorists.
He said: ‘The U.S. has not issued any threat of military action. The U.S. placed Nigeria as a country of special concern.
‘That would mean sanctions, interventions to ensure that the government is forced to do the right thing. And if there should be any military action, that is to flush out the insurgents, it will not be one single country and that would only happen if our country refuses to do what it is supposed to do.
‘And I’ve always said that our military is up to the task, but there are saboteurs within the security forces. And from time to time, there have been, like during the late Buhari’s period, there have been issues of.lack of political will to do the job.
‘People are being massacred in their hundreds and nobody cares. Nobody is apprehended. The people who attack just walk away and they keep soldiers just watching over communities and these people would come and attack and the soldiers will be given instruction or do what and they will just be watching.
‘So, there’s complicity. And the unfortunate thing again is that all these insurgent groups in the North, whether they kill both Christians and Muslims.They said they are a Jihadist group and their target is non-Muslims. But they said any Muslim who cooperates with the non-Muslims will also be killed. So Muslims are also killed.’
ACF opposes invasion, says Nigerians of all faiths being killed
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, cautioned against foreign invasion of a sovereign African country by the US.
The ACF also noted that Nigerians of all faiths were being killed by non-state actors in the country.
‘With its vast array of intelligence resources deployed all over, the US ought to know better. Those who know better ought to think and act better.
‘As with all patriotic Nigerians, members of the Arewa Consultative Forum have received with deep disappointment news of the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by the United States,’ he said.
‘Nigerians of all faiths are already suffering from attacks by non-state actors, including terrorists, bandits, insurgents and religious extremists in the North East, North Central, North West, South East and other parts of the country.
‘For years, ACF is aware that successive Nigerian governments have appealed to the US for assistance to no avail,’ he added.
He said any foreign support should focus on assisting the Nigerian military rather than target a specific religious group.
‘To think that someone, anyone, will come to protect Christians only is to engage in a quixotic mission.’
The ACF warned Nigerians to recall the lessons of history, citing interventions in ‘Vietnam, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and nearer home, there are Libya and the Sudan, the Sahelian states until they had a rethink, to list a few. To say the least, foreign military boots on Nigerian soil, whatever form it takes, will be messy. No rational thinking person will want that.’
The forum welcomed the federal government’s response, stating that it ‘deserves the support of all concerned.’
ACF further urged Nigerians to ‘engage in deep reflections over the matter and support the government as it responds to the matter,’ and called for regional solidarity from ‘Sister African and other countries.’
According to the statement: ‘Given its grave implications for the Nigeria project, ACF will continue to monitor, assess, and respond to further developments on the matter.’
No foreign power has right to invade a sovereign nation – Afenifere
The National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical organisation, Afenifere, Justice Faloye, in a chat with Daily Trust, said no foreign power has the right to invade another sovereign nation.
He implored the Tinubu administration to prevent foreign powers from provoking religious or tribal conflicts by restructuring Nigeria ‘according to the 2014 Confab to ensure equity and peace.’
He said: ‘It is unfortunate that the APC government over the last decade ignored calls for state police and devolution of power to tackle insecurity, according to the 2014 Confab. Those who fail to heed homely advice will learn from bitter experience by outsiders.
‘This gross negligence and breach of duty despite the worsening insecurity situation is now being misinterpreted, probably for mischievous advantage, to earn Nigeria an international pariah status that leaves us open to attack by foreign powers.
‘Under international law, no foreign power has the right to invade another sovereign nation, but we must not also give outsiders the excuse for militaristic humanitarianism, knowing our history of foreign Protectorate against slavery that resulted in our colonization.
‘The Nigerian government should therefore step up to its universally expected duties of securing its people by immediately giving the people their right of self-preservation through implementing state, local and community policing to stop the scourge of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping,’ he said.
‘Genocide narrative intended to destabilise Nigeria’
A lawyer in Calabar, Cross River State, Okoi Obono-Obla, in an interview yesterday, urged the federal government to be vigilant against external manipulation.
He accused the US of ‘deploying dubious diplomacy backed by arrogant militarism’ to inflame divisions within Nigeria under the guise of protecting Christians.
He said the so-called ‘Christian genocide’ narrative being pushed by Washington lacks logic, facts and context, ‘and is intended to destabilize the country.’
According to him, the U.S. threat to intervene militarily or violate Nigeria’s sovereignty under any pretext is a grave affront to international law.
‘Nigeria has never posed a threat to world’s peace. If America, which regularly experiences gun attacks in its own churches, has not invited foreign armies to intervene, then it should allow Nigeria to manage her internal challenges.’
Obono-Obla alleged that the U.S. had a long history of sabotaging sovereign nations through misinformation and proxy wars.
Citing Iraq, Libya, Serbia and Ukraine, he said America’s interventions had left chaos and unending conflicts in their wake.
‘Whenever a nation challenges America’s arrogance, it becomes a target for regime change,’ he said.
He further warned that Nigeria must not fall for what he described as ‘cowboy diplomacy’ aimed at fracturing the country’s stability.
‘When the inferno erupts, we will be left abandoned, just like every nation America has ‘helped,” he cautioned. ‘True sovereignty demands vigilance and unity.’
Also speaking, Barrister Leonard Anyogo, Notary Public and chairman of Good Governance Advocacy International, advised that Nigeria’s response to President Trump be measured and strategic.
‘Nigeria must be engaging and not combative against Trump. ‘We have to propose a security synergy.’
Diplomats speak
A former Nigerian Ambassador to Sudan, Suleiman Dahiru, described the threat of invasion by Trump as provocative.
He said the designation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern could strain diplomatic relations and disrupt Nigeria’s access to critical military support.
He also rejected the claims of religious persecution in Nigeria, saying: ‘We do not have religious crisis in Nigeria. There is nobody that can be prevented from practising whatever religion he/she wants to practice.’
He added: ‘Strictly speaking, I don’t think there is any state in Nigeria that has openly come out to say that they don’t want Christians. After all, the Sokoto caliphate has Reverend Father Hassan Kuka there. If there is a religious discrimination, that Catholic diocese wouldn’t have been allowed to establish.’
Dahiru, however, said: ‘The Nigerian government should have immediately sent the Foreign Minister of Nigeria who is a Muslim and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs who is a Christian to go and meet the American Secretary of State and explain exactly what is happening.’
A former Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Usman Sarki, told Daily Trust that the narrative of alleged genocide was driven by vested interests both abroad and within Nigeria.
‘Some Nigerians have long been pushing this narrative – it actually started here. It’s been sustained over the years, and now it has evolved into official foreign policy in countries like the US and Canada. Some Nigerians at home and in the diaspora are actively orchestrating it,’ he said.
Sarki warned that the implications could be far-reaching, particularly in diplomatic relations.
‘There will likely be a review of Nigeria’s relationship with the United States. This development clearly exposes a gap in our engagement with Washington. The US went ahead with its decision without hearing our government’s side or receiving any formal explanation. That points to a trust deficit between our president and theirs,’ he said.
He also criticized Nigeria’s foreign policy approach, describing it as reactive and lacking institutional depth.
‘We don’t manage our diplomatic relations in a professional or strategic manner. We wait for crises to erupt before responding, rather than anticipating and preparing for them. Nigeria currently has no ambassador or senior-ranking diplomat at the UN. We lack spokespersons in our foreign missions, which further weakens our voice on the global stage.’
Sarki cautioned that the situation could escalate further, saying that: ‘The Americans may now push the UN – through the Human Rights Council or the Security Council – to initiate investigations or other measures. This could lead to sanctions against individuals deemed responsible, followed by sanctions on the government, and eventually on the country itself. They appear ready to escalate step by step.’
Also in an interview with Daily Trust, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Bulus Lolo, urged the federal government to wake up and tackle the insecurity.
He, however, expressed doubt that Trump would deploy military to Nigeria anytime soon.
He said: ‘The US has been a global policeman in other areas, be it human rights, be it free trade and democracy. It only changes when you have a different person in the White House whose agenda may differ from the other. So, are we witnessing a new reality? Certainly. But will America go to war in defence of Christians around the globe? It’s hard to say. I’m not aware, in recent history, that America has deployed its forces to defend any faith, but in this case, particularly Christians.
‘I believe it will be contingent on what the government does, and it will be within a time frame. I don’t know what sort of targets they’re going to pick. Could it be that they know where these terrorists are?’ he asked.
He called on the Nigerian government to act now and end the insecurity, noting that ‘We cannot justify the continued killings of Nigerians, very innocent, under circumstances that no one can defend, and there seems to be no end in sight.
‘So, my hope, my wish, and my call on the government is to wake up and do something. Let no further lives be lost, whether Christians, Muslims, or animists, or whatever the persuasion of an individual is.
‘No Nigerian should go to bed fearful for his safety and life and well-being. We do have the technology today to monitor, and I believe if we deploy better technology and put our ears to the ground, it’ll be a lot easier to pick up intelligence, very useful and credible intelligence that will change the tide.
‘And all it requires is the political will to act, because for far too long, like I said, innocent lives have been lost. We have had enormous economic losses.’
On his part, Bode Adekeye, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Kenya, expressed optimism that the issues would be resolved amicably at the top level.
He said diplomatic moves would have commenced since the declaration by the US, adding that the Nigerian government had to do something urgently to stop the bloodletting in the country.
The retired diplomat, however, felt a deployment of the US military to Nigeria would be far-fetched, insisting that the situation had not reached that level.
‘If you are talking of genocide, that should be a government policy, but it’s not a federal government policy, and we have a constitution. Nigeria is a secular country, and we have not adopted any particular religion.
‘Unfortunately, right now, there are no ambassadors in all countries, and obviously, these are the people who should be explaining to their host government about the situation in the country,’ he said.
Foreign lies shouldn’t divide us – Sharia Council
The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, yesterday condemned the US’ decision to classify Nigeria as a country of concern’ over alleged persecution of Christians.
Engineer Hassan AbdulRahman, Secretary of the Council, in a statement, said the move by the Trump administration reflects a ‘one-sided narrative’ that ignores the complex realities driving violence across Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians not to allow foreign ‘lies to divide us. Through understanding, dialogue, and cooperation, Nigeria can overcome its challenges and build a peaceful future for all. We advocate for unity among Nigeria’s diverse religious groups as a means to combat the violence plaguing the nation.
‘We must solve our differences without inviting bloodthirsty imperialists to destroy the only nation we have,’ he said.
The SCSN called on the federal government to respond firmly to the US designation, insisting that mere press releases were not enough to convey the seriousness of the situation.
‘Our position is clear we strongly condemn this decision by the US,’ AbdulRahman declared.
‘The Council is not happy with this development on allegations regarding Christian genocide in Nigeria. The Trump administration should have sought a balanced perspective on the situation before jumping to conclusions.’
He stressed that the nation’s insecurity stems from ‘a complex web of ethnic, political, and economic challenges,’ not a targeted campaign against Christians.
‘By statistics, it’s clear that Muslims are mostly the victims in various instances,’ he said.
‘Attributing these tensions solely to religious motivations oversimplifies the realities on the ground and undermines efforts toward national unity and peace. ‘Wherever Muslims are killed, it doesn’t concern the West or the U.S.’
What US ought to do – Kwankwaso
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in the last general elections, in a statement yesterday asked the US to assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle insecurity rather than posing a threat that could further polarise the country.
‘It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country. The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic or political beliefs,’ he said.
He urged the federal government to consider appointing special envoys ‘from its distinguished diplomats to engage the American government. Additionally, it is necessary to appoint permanent ambassadors to represent Nigeria’s interests on the international stage.’
Sever diplomatic ties if threat is not withdrawn – Gumi
An Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, in a post on his verified Facebook page yesterday, condemned Trump’s threat as an insult to Nigeria’s sovereignty and called for an immediate diplomatic response.
‘For Trump to threaten a sovereign country with military attack is a profound disrespect to our authority, but we can rise above it,’ he wrote.
Gumi advised the federal government to summon the U.S. ambassador and demand a retraction, warning that failure to do so should lead to severing diplomatic ties.
He also emphasized the need for Nigeria to explore other options for economic growth and military partnerships.
Oba of Lagos hits Trump
The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, yesterday slammed Trump over allegation of Christians’ genocide in Nigeria.
Akiolu described the comment as incorrect and capable of creating unnecessary tension.
Speaking in his palace after marking his 82nd birthday, Akiolu said Nigerians of different faiths had co-existed peacefully for decades.
He said criminal activities and terrorism in parts of the country were not directed at any religion but were acts of misguided individuals and groups.
CAN, CUPP urge action on killings
The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states, Reverend John Joseph Hayab, urged the federal government to take action against terrorism.
In an interview with Leadership newspaper, Hayab said that was the core message of Trump.
‘I think we are twisting this thing. There is no threat to attack Nigeria. The threat is to come to Nigeria and get rid of the terrorists, not to attack Nigeria. Unless we want to just use this to inflame a misconception.
‘Nobody in his right senses should deny that there are killings of Christians in Northern Nigeria. Nobody in his right senses should deny that there is persecution and maltreatment of Christians in Northern Nigeria,’ he said.
According to him, the situation has escalated to the point of attracting international legislative action, such as the bill by US Senator Ted Cruz, and now, commentary from a US President.
Also speaking in Abuja yesterday, the national secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Peter Ameh, said the CUPP would welcome foreign assistance if the federal government fails to end killings.
‘Our appeal is for decisive action. If the government does not take the necessary steps, we would welcome any lawful support that helps to end the activities of these armed groups,’ he said.
‘The violence must cease without delay. Displaced persons should be able to return to their homes, those responsible for attacks must be held accountable, and communities must be secured,’ he said.
He asked President Tinubu to direct the military and security agencies to intensify operations against armed groups nationwide.
Muslims, Christians suffered attacks – IMN
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), in a statement by Professor Abdullahi Danladi, said, ‘In reality, both Muslims and Christians have been victims of insecurity, banditry, terrorism, and government repression in equal measure. Villages in the predominantly Muslim North have been wiped out by armed groups just as churches and Christian communities have suffered attacks elsewhere.
‘These tragedies are not the result of an Islamic war against Christianity, but the consequence of a failed political order that thrives on corruption, poverty, injustice, and impunity.
Fani-Kayode: We’ll resist invasion
A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday warned that Nigerians would resist any attempt by the US to invade the country.
In a post on X, Fani-Kayode said Trump was trying to provoke a crisis by branding Nigerians as killers of Christians.
He said Nigeria should not tolerate being treated as subordinates by Western powers.
He flayed Nigerians for what he called cowardice and complacency in the face of foreign intimidation, saying the situation would reveal the importance of strong and courageous leadership.
Trump doesn’t care about Nigerian Christians – Sowore
A former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, yesterday warned that the threat by Trump should not be celebrated.
He said: ‘The latest threat by U.S. President Donald Trump @POTUS to launch military action in Nigeria, allegedly to protect Christians, may sound appealing to some. Still, history has shown this to be perilous,’ Sowore wrote.
He noted that the US and its allies had a long record of military interventions that leave nations more unstable.
‘Tinubu to meet Trump’
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, in a post on X on Saturday night said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would meet with Trump in the coming days to discuss the allegations of a Christian genocide in Nigeria.
He wrote: ‘Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interests in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity,’ Bwala wrote.
‘President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorising the sale of arms, and President Tinubu has adequately utilised that opportunity in the fight against terrorism, with massive results to show for it.
‘As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all faiths, those would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders when they meet in the coming days, either in the State House or White House.’
Issues before genocide allegations
The campaign of Christian persecution against Nigeria gained traction after the country publicly condemned the killings in Gaza and supported two-state solution to the Middle East crisis.
In September, Vice President Kassim Shettima spoke forcefully in favour of Palestinians during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York
‘We do not believe that the sanctity of human life should be trapped in the corridors of endless debate. That is why we say, without stuttering and without doubt, that a two-state solution remains the most dignified path to lasting peace for the people of Palestine. For too long, this community has borne the weight of moral conflict. For too long, we have been caught in the crossfire of violence that offends the conscience of humanity. We come not as partisans, but as peacemakers. We come as brothers and sisters of a shared world, a world that must never reduce the right to live into the currency of devious politics. The people of Palestine are not collateral damage in a civilization searching for order. They are human beings, equal in worth, entitled to the same freedoms and dignities that the rest of us take for granted.’
Tinubu’s exclusion of at Trump’s meeting with African leaders
Trump, in July, did not invite Tinubu to the meeting he had with leaders from five African countries in Washington for discussions about business opportunities. The leaders of the countries invited are those of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal.
Trump’s forced immigration push
Nigeria had also in July opposed the Trump administration’s plan to deport thousands of undocumented migrants, including convicted criminals and individuals with unresolved immigration status, to Nigeria.
While Rwanda and South Sudan reportedly responded positively to preliminary discussions, Nigeria resisted the plan, refusing to accept migrants with no legal or national ties to the country. Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme in July, said: ‘You have to also bear in mind that the U.S. is mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept Venezuelans to be deported from the U.S., some straight out of prisons. It would be difficult for countries like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria. We have enough problems of our own; we cannot accept Venezuelan deportees to Nigeria. We already have 230 million people.’
US 15% tariffs
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, had described the tariff as part of a shifting global environment but noted that Nigeria’s strategy remained focused on stability, capital mobilisation and private-sector growth.
‘We’re not reactionary – we’re focused on what is best for Nigeria,’ Oduwole said during an interview on Arise News on Monday. ‘Our response is to continue with what this administration with the Renewed Hope eight-point agenda has focused on.
‘The U.S. will remain one of our strategic trading partners. We have a commercial investment partnership which we launched on the 24th of June. In fact, the ambassador was in my office today with his team, just looking at the progress on that,’ she had said.