ABUJA, Nigeria — Ambassador Hassan Mohammed, Nigeria’s former Deputy Ambassador to the United States, has sharply criticized recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened military action against Nigeria over alleged religious persecution.
In a televised interview, Mohammed condemned Trump’s statement as “reckless and unlawful,” warning that it misrepresents the intent of the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. “The law allows diplomatic pressure, not warfare,” he said.
Trump had posted on Truth Social that the United States might “go in guns blazing” if Nigeria failed to stop the alleged killing of Christians. He also threatened to cut off all aid and labeled Nigeria a “disgraced country.”
Mohammed, who served in Washington during Nigeria’s previous IRFA designations in 2001 and 2002, said those issues were resolved through dialogue—not threats. “This is the first time a sitting U.S. president has spoken of war over religious matters. It’s unprecedented,” he said.
He emphasized that the IRFA was designed to promote fairness and accountability, not justify military aggression. “There is nothing in the Act that gives the United States the right to declare war on a nation because of religious violations,” Mohammed said.
The Nigerian government responded over the weekend, denying any claims of a “Christian genocide.” Officials reaffirmed the country’s commitment to religious freedom and equality, describing Nigeria as a secular democracy with protections for all faiths.
The controversy has sparked global backlash. Social media users across Africa, Europe, and the U.S. condemned Trump’s remarks, with hashtags like #HandsOffNigeria and #ReligiousFreedom trending. “Trump is not the world’s sheriff,” one user posted. Another wrote, “Nigeria is not your battlefield.”
International observers warned that such rhetoric could inflame tensions in Nigeria’s northern regions, where extremist violence has targeted both Christian and Muslim communities. “This kind of language undermines diplomacy and risks destabilizing fragile areas,” one human rights advocate said.
Mohammed urged restraint and clarity, warning that “there may be deeper motivations behind this threat. We must remain vigilant and diplomatic.”
The Nigerian presidency has not announced whether it will issue a formal response, but officials confirmed that the president will address the matter in an upcoming press briefing. For now, the fallout continues to ripple across borders.
