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Nigeria refuses unilateral US intervention in counter-insurgency
(MENAFN) Nigeria has firmly rejected any unilateral military action by the United States in its fight against Islamist insurgents, emphasizing that foreign assistance must respect the country’s sovereignty. The statement came after US President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered the Pentagon to prepare for possible troop deployments or airstrikes in Nigeria.
Trump cited what he described as “record numbers” of Christians being killed in the country and labeled Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ warning that US aid could be cut unless the Nigerian government intervenes. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” Trump wrote on social media.
Responding, Daniel Bwala, spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, said on Sunday that “it would not be diplomatically appropriate for the US to take unilateral action without engagement and consent” from Abuja. He added, “Nigeria remains a sovereign nation, and while collaboration with international partners in addressing insecurity is welcome, any form of intervention must respect our sovereignty.”
Nigeria has faced longstanding insurgency challenges, particularly from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. Last month, US Congressman Riley Moore called for urgent measures, describing Nigeria as “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian,” and urged Washington to designate the country a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’ He claimed that over 7,000 Christians had been killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone, with hundreds more kidnapped or displaced, and noted that more than 19,000 churches had been attacked and over 50,000 people killed since 2009.
However, Nigerian officials have stressed that the violence affects all citizens, not just Christians.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa told media outlets that while the government acknowledges international concern, “those that are being killed are not only Christians.” He reaffirmed that Abuja opposes the ‘Country of Particular Concern’ designation and is working to curb the killings nationwide, aiming to protect all Nigerians.
Trump cited what he described as “record numbers” of Christians being killed in the country and labeled Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ warning that US aid could be cut unless the Nigerian government intervenes. “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” Trump wrote on social media.
Responding, Daniel Bwala, spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, said on Sunday that “it would not be diplomatically appropriate for the US to take unilateral action without engagement and consent” from Abuja. He added, “Nigeria remains a sovereign nation, and while collaboration with international partners in addressing insecurity is welcome, any form of intervention must respect our sovereignty.”
Nigeria has faced longstanding insurgency challenges, particularly from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. Last month, US Congressman Riley Moore called for urgent measures, describing Nigeria as “the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian,” and urged Washington to designate the country a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’ He claimed that over 7,000 Christians had been killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone, with hundreds more kidnapped or displaced, and noted that more than 19,000 churches had been attacked and over 50,000 people killed since 2009.
However, Nigerian officials have stressed that the violence affects all citizens, not just Christians.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa told media outlets that while the government acknowledges international concern, “those that are being killed are not only Christians.” He reaffirmed that Abuja opposes the ‘Country of Particular Concern’ designation and is working to curb the killings nationwide, aiming to protect all Nigerians.
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