Nigeria welcomes US assistance in a pivotal development in West African geopolitics, as the nation has declared that it “welcomes US assistance” to fight terrorism, provided that Washington respects its territorial integrity and sovereignty. This response follows controversial remarks by US President Donald Trump, who threatened possible military intervention in Nigeria over what he called the “killing of Christians.”
The tension began on Saturday when Trump, in a social media post, said he had instructed the US Department of Defense to prepare for possible “fast” military action if Nigeria’s government failed to address alleged religious violence against Christians. His comments immediately sparked international debate, with observers warning of diplomatic fallout between the two nations.
Responding to the remarks, Nigerian presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala told Reuters that while the country appreciates potential cooperation, it will not compromise its independence.
“Nigeria would welcome US assistance as long as it recognises our territorial integrity,” said Bwala. “I am sure by the time these two leaders meet and sit, there would be better outcomes in our joint resolve to fight terrorism.”
The statement signals Nigeria’s willingness to engage diplomatically while also asserting that it will not tolerate any external aggression or interference — a stance consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s earlier statements emphasizing sovereignty and unity.
Nigeria Pushes Back Against Trump’s Claims
In response to Trump’s accusations, President Tinubu issued a strong rebuttal, rejecting claims of religious persecution and highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts to maintain national harmony.
“Since 2023, our administration has maintained open and active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders,” Tinubu said. “We continue to address security challenges that affect citizens across all faiths and regions. The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality.”
Nigeria — home to over 200 million people — is nearly evenly divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a mostly Christian south. The country has spent more than 15 years battling extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have wreaked havoc across the northeast, killing tens of thousands and displacing millions.
No Evidence of ‘Christian Genocide,’ Experts Say
Trump’s statement alleging a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria has drawn sharp criticism from human rights experts and analysts. Bulama Bukarti, a Nigerian humanitarian lawyer and conflict analyst, told Al Jazeera that such claims distort the reality of Nigeria’s complex security crisis.
“All the data reveals there is no Christian genocide going on in Nigeria,” Bukarti explained. “This is a dangerous far-right narrative that President Trump is amplifying, and it risks increasing instability.”
Bukarti emphasized that extremist groups in Nigeria do not distinguish between religious groups when launching attacks.
“They bomb markets, churches, and mosques alike. They target civilians of all faiths. The violence is not religiously selective.”
This view was echoed by Ebenezer Obadare, a senior fellow of African Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, who warned that any unilateral US military intervention would be “deeply counterproductive.”
“This is precisely the moment when Nigeria needs assistance — especially military cooperation,” said Obadare. “The wrong thing to do is invade Nigeria and override the authority of its government. Doing that will only make matters worse.”
Longstanding Security Struggles
Nigeria’s fight against terrorism remains one of Africa’s longest-running insurgencies. The northeast has been plagued by violence since 2009, with Boko Haram initially targeting government institutions and later expanding to civilian areas. Over time, splinter groups like ISWAP have emerged, further complicating the conflict.
Despite several military operations, including international support from regional partners such as Chad and Niger, attacks persist. Nigeria’s defense forces, though large and battle-hardened, face challenges of coordination, funding, and intelligence sharing.
The government’s latest approach involves integrating counter-terrorism strategies with humanitarian efforts — rebuilding displaced communities and reintegrating former militants through programs such as Operation Safe Corridor. However, with the ongoing political pressure and Trump’s remarks, the administration finds itself balancing diplomacy with domestic expectations.
A Test of Diplomacy Between Washington and Abuja
The US has historically been a key partner in supporting Nigeria’s anti-terror operations. Washington has provided intelligence, surveillance technology, and training to Nigerian forces, particularly during the Obama and Biden administrations. However, Trump’s latest threats have reignited memories of strained relations between Nigeria and the US during his previous term.
Analysts warn that if tensions escalate, the cooperation that has helped counter regional terrorism could be jeopardized. Instead, experts advocate for renewed dialogue, intelligence sharing, and a joint anti-terror framework that respects national sovereignty.
Public Reaction in Nigeria
Reactions across Nigeria have been mixed. Many citizens praised the government’s firm response, asserting that no nation should threaten Nigeria’s independence. On social media, hashtags like #RespectNigeria and #NoToIntervention trended across X (formerly Twitter), with users urging diplomacy over confrontation. Others, however, argued that Nigeria’s government must demonstrate stronger leadership in addressing human rights abuses and regional insecurity to prevent international criticism.
The Road Ahead
For now, the future of US-Nigeria relations hinges on measured diplomacy. Trump’s rhetoric has placed both countries at a crossroads — where cooperation or conflict could shape West Africa’s fight against extremism for years to come.
Nigeria’s leaders have made it clear: they are open to collaboration, not coercion. As the battle against terrorism continues, maintaining respect, dialogue, and partnership will be key to avoiding a deeper crisis.
Source:
Al Jazeera, Read more global political updates on FFR News
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