ABUJA, Nigeria \u2014 Ambassador Hassan Mohammed, Nigeria\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a televised interview, Mohammed condemned Trump\u2019s statement as \u201creckless and unlawful,\u201d warning that it misrepresents the intent of the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. \u201cThe law allows diplomatic pressure, not warfare,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump had posted on Truth Social that the United States might \u201cgo in guns blazing\u201d if Nigeria failed to stop the alleged killing of Christians. He also threatened to cut off all aid and labeled Nigeria a \u201cdisgraced country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mohammed, who served in Washington during Nigeria\u2019s previous IRFA designations in 2001 and 2002, said those issues were resolved through dialogue\u2014not threats. \u201cThis is the first time a sitting U.S. president has spoken of war over religious matters. It\u2019s unprecedented,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He emphasized that the IRFA was designed to promote fairness and accountability, not justify military aggression. \u201cThere is nothing in the Act that gives the United States the right to declare war on a nation because of religious violations,\u201d Mohammed said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n