By AnchorNews Staff | November 3, 2025

Widespread outrage has greeted reports that United States President Donald Trump plans to attack Nigeria over alleged genocidal killings of Christians.

Trump’s threat, which follows rising insecurity linked to Boko Haram, ISWAP, and a new terror group known as Lakurawa, has drawn sharp condemnation from religious groups, political leaders, and civil society organisations, who described the plan as “reckless” and “misguided.”

Religious Bodies React

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) described Trump’s action as divine intervention to draw global attention to “unabated mass killings” in parts of Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Borno, and Southern Kaduna. PFN spokesman, Dr. Sylvanus Ukafia, urged the Federal Government to “end the genocide” and restore peace across affected regions.

Conversely, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) warned that any US strike targeting civilians or religious leaders would be seen as aggression. MURIC’s statement urged calm among Nigerians and advised that any American action should focus strictly on terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP. The group also cautioned against retaliatory protests, advocating for “dialogue, not violence.”

Buratai Warns Against Escalation

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), cautioned that the diplomatic tension could snowball into a global crisis if mishandled. He said Trump’s genocide claim oversimplified Nigeria’s complex security challenges and warned that coercion could push Nigeria closer to China and Russia.

“Public ultimatums weaken, not strengthen, American influence,” Buratai stated, urging the government to engage in robust diplomacy and international lobbying to counter false narratives.

Gumi, Kwankwaso Call for Calm

Prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, dismissed Trump’s claim as “unfounded and premature,” insisting the killings in Nigeria were not religiously motivated. He criticised Washington for threatening attacks rather than offering military and economic support.

Similarly, former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, argued that insecurity in Nigeria “does not distinguish between religion or ethnicity.” He urged the US to assist with technological support instead of threats that could “further polarise” the nation.

Civil Society Blames Leadership Vacuum

Civil society groups, including CISLAC and Yiaga Africa, attributed Trump’s position to Nigeria’s poor diplomatic engagement. CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, linked the misunderstanding to the government’s delay in appointing ambassadors, while Yiaga Africa’s Cynthia Mbamalu condemned the government’s failure to protect citizens’ lives, describing it as “a disregard for human dignity.”

Presidency, US Officials Respond

Presidential aides insisted President Bola Tinubu was “ahead of the game,” working with security chiefs to neutralise emerging threats. Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, confirmed that Tinubu and Trump would meet “in the coming days” to clarify misconceptions about terrorism in Nigeria and strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, publicly thanked rapper Nicki Minaj for speaking against religious persecution after Trump’s comments. He invited her to the US Embassy for further discussions on protecting Christians globally.

Analysts Warn of Diplomatic Fallout

Observers say the episode underscores Nigeria’s fragile diplomatic image and the urgent need for a unified national response. Many warn that an escalation could strain US-Nigeria relations and destabilise West Africa if not carefully managed.

As global attention shifts to the alleged genocide narrative, Nigerians from all divides continue to call for truth, restraint, and renewed commitment to ending the violence threatening the country’s unity.

- AnchorNews