Nigeria Rejects U.S. Threat of Military Action, Welcomes Cooperation Against Armed Groups

Nigeria Rejects U.S. Threat of Military Action, Welcomes Cooperation Against Armed Groups
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Nigeria has said it would welcome U.S. assistance in fighting terrorism as long as its sovereignty is respected, following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump threatening possible military intervention over alleged persecution of Christians, Al Jazeera reported.

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said he had directed the U.S. Department of Defense to prepare for “fast” action if Nigeria failed to stop the “killing of Christians.” Nigerian officials dismissed the claims, saying violence in the country is driven by terrorist groups targeting citizens of all faiths.

Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa said the government “strongly rejects” the idea of a Christian genocide, adding that Boko Haram and other armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIL are responsible for widespread killings.

Presidential spokesperson Daniel Bwala also affirmed Nigeria’s openness to U.S. cooperation “as long as it recognises our territorial integrity.” President Bola Tinubu defended Nigeria’s record on religious freedom, saying his administration continues to work with both Christian and Muslim leaders to address nationwide security challenges.

Analysts and rights experts noted that extremist attacks in Nigeria have affected both Muslims and Christians, cautioning that framing the crisis as religious persecution is inaccurate and risks deepening divisions. Observers urged Washington to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts rather than pursue unilateral military measures, warning that intervention could destabilize the region further.