Ambassador Hassan Mohammed, former Deputy Ambassador of Nigeria to the United States, has criticized recent comments by US President Donald Trump, who allegedly threatened Nigeria with military strikes or invasion over matters concerning religious liberty.
Critique of Trump’s Threat
In an interview with ARISE News on a Monday evening, Mohammed contended that while the United States holds the legal authority to exert pressure on nations failing to uphold religious freedom—under its 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA)—the law does not authorize the US to declare war or carry out military action on such grounds.
* “That act grants the United States the prerogative to pressure any country that is not acting appropriately regarding religion, religious worship, and religious practices,” Mohammed explained.
* He recalled that Nigeria was previously listed under the IRFA in 2001 and 2002, but the situation was resolved peacefully through discussion.
* “What is alarming in the declarations thus far is the fact that President Trump threatened to penalize Nigeria in terms of war or strikes, or an invasion. This has never occurred previously,” the former envoy stated.
The Purpose of the IRFA
Mohammed underscored that the IRFA was intended to foster fairness and accountability in how nations manage religious affairs, not to justify military threats.
* “The stipulation is that they want you to be transparent, to ensure you are equitable to everyone. And if you fail, they will apply some pressure on you, on your country, to improve performance.”
* He emphasized that the law aims to encourage rectification and impartiality, not to sanction aggression.
* “There is nothing within the Act that gives the United States the power to wage war on a nation due to religious violations. What Trump has now done, or threatened to do, suggests hidden motivations. We may uncover the reasons eventually.”
Context of the Controversy
Mohammed’s remarks surface amid increased global focus on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and Trump’s recent statement warning of potential military intervention.
In his post on Saturday, the US president cautioned that the United States might “go in guns blazing” if the Nigerian government failed to halt the alleged killings of Christians.
In reaction to the escalating controversy, the Nigerian President over the weekend refuted any claims of “Christian genocide,” reaffirming that the country remains a democracy dedicated to religious freedom and equality for all citizens.
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