(MENAFN) Nigeria has firmly opposed any unilateral military intervention by the United States in the battle against Islamist insurgents, emphasizing that external assistance must be in full accordance with the country’s sovereignty.

Daniel Bwala, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s president, issued the statement on Sunday following remarks made by US President Donald Trump, who announced that he had ordered the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action, including troop deployments or airstrikes in Nigeria.

Trump's comments on Saturday were prompted by what he described as “record numbers” of Christians being killed in the country, and he labeled Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’

He also threatened to withhold all US aid unless the Nigerian government took action, warning that any attack would be “fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!”

Responding to these remarks, the Nigerian president's spokesperson stated that it would be “diplomatically inappropriate” for the US to act unilaterally without prior consultation and consent from the Nigerian government.

Bwala reiterated that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and, while international cooperation to tackle insecurity is welcomed, any intervention must be carried out with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

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