Former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to Nigeria, threatening military intervention and a complete cessation of all U.S. aid unless the alleged mass killing of Christians in the country is immediately stopped.
* The Threat: In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump directed the “Department of War” to prepare for “possible action” and threatened to go into the country “guns-a-blazing” to eliminate the Islamic terrorists responsible for the atrocities.
* Designation: The warning followed his previous decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing an “existential threat” facing Christians there.
🇳🇬 Nigeria’s Official Rejection
The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, vehemently rejected the U.S. designation and the claims of a Christian genocide.
* President Tinubu’s Stance: He described the designation as baseless and a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s religious landscape, affirming that the country is a democracy committed to religious liberty and tolerance.
* Aide’s Denial: Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, called the genocide claims a “gross exaggeration.” He argued that insecurity is not solely religiously motivated, stating that “Christians, Muslims, churches, and mosques are attacked randomly” by bandits and terrorists. He stressed that Nigeria needs military support from the U.S., not this kind of designation.
* Diplomatic Engagement: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed it is engaging with the U.S. government through its missions to discuss the matter, while Nigerian lawmakers planned to expedite a visit to meet U.S. congressmen.
⚠️ Potential Diplomatic and Security Fallout
A former Nigerian Ambassador, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, cautioned that the designation could severely damage Nigeria’s international standing and vital partnerships.
* Global Image Risk: The decision risks portraying Nigeria as religiously intolerant, which could harm its diplomatic and economic ties with Western nations.
* Security Impact: It could also jeopardize crucial military cooperation with the U.S. and its allies, which provides intelligence, training, and access to essential weapon systems (like the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft).
🗣️ Christian Leaders’ Reactions
Responses from key Christian leaders were mixed:
* Caution and Restraint: Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah urged Nigerians to remain calm and avoid hasty conclusions, saying it was too early to fully assess the consequences of the U.S. decision.
* Validation and Hope: Regional Church Leader Evangelist Ezekiel Dachomo saw the designation as a “victory for Nigerian Christians,” validating long-standing concerns about persecution and expressing hope that it will force Nigerian authorities to act more decisively.
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