The Federal Government says it would accept United States assistance to combat terrorism, provided Nigeria’s sovereignty is respected, following threats by former US President Donald Trump to take military action over alleged killings of Christians.
Trump, in a social media post on Saturday, said he had directed the Pentagon to prepare for “fast” action and warned that Washington could cut aid if Nigeria “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
Reacting on Sunday, presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala told Reuters that Nigeria would “welcome US assistance as long as it recognises our territorial integrity,” adding that both countries share “a joint resolve to fight terrorism.”
President Bola Tinubu dismissed Trump’s claims, saying they do not reflect Nigeria’s reality. “Our administration engages both Christian and Muslim leaders and continues to address security challenges affecting all citizens,” he said, noting that Nigeria has consistently worked to safeguard freedom of religion.
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Analysts have also questioned claims of a “Christian genocide” in the country. Bulama Bukarti, a Nigerian humanitarian lawyer and conflict analyst, said that available data does not support the allegation and described the rhetoric as “a dangerous far-right narrative” that could worsen tensions.
Ebenezer Obadare, a senior fellow for Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, added that US intervention should focus on cooperation with Nigerian authorities rather than unilateral action, stressing that respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty is key to effective counterterrorism efforts.
Nigeria, home to over 200 million people, has faced long-running conflicts in the northeast, where armed groups have targeted both Muslim and Christian communities, complicating the security situation.