ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Sources close to President Tinubu’s government have issued a sharp warning to the United States, calling recent comments by President Donald Trump “reckless” and “very dangerous,” after he accused Nigeria of enabling the killing of Christians and threatened military intervention.
In a statement released Sunday, Nigerian officials who spoke under anonimity said Trump’s remarks risk inflaming sectarian tensions and misrepresent the country’s complex security challenges. “Such inflammatory rhetoric undermines diplomatic norms and could destabilize regional peace efforts,” the statement read.
President Bola Tinubu’s office reiterated that Nigeria is a secular state committed to religious freedom and constitutional protections for all faiths. The government emphasized that extremist violence affects both Christian and Muslim communities and should not be framed in sectarian terms.
Trump’s comments, made on Truth Social, included a directive to the Pentagon to “prepare for possible action” in Nigeria and a threat to suspend all U.S. aid. He described the situation as a “Christian genocide” and warned of a swift and forceful American response.
Nigerian lawmakers have condemned the remarks, urging the U.S. to engage through diplomatic channels rather than threats. “Nigeria is not a failed state, and we will not be bullied,” said Senator Shehu Sani.
Analysts warn that the escalating rhetoric could strain U.S.-Nigeria relations, particularly in areas of counterterrorism, trade, and regional stability. Human rights groups have also cautioned against oversimplifying Nigeria’s internal conflicts.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reportedly preparing a formal diplomatic response to the U.S. State Department, seeking clarification and urging restraint.
The controversy comes amid heightened global scrutiny of religious freedom and foreign intervention, with Nigeria insisting that its sovereignty and diversity must be respected.
