“We welcome U.S. assistance as long as it recognizes our territorial integrity.”
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to send the U.S. military into Nigeria and halt foreign aid if the Nigerian government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
According to Reuters reporting, Trump made the remarks on Truth Social over the weekend, saying the U.S. military “may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists.” He added, “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians.”
In response, Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala said Nigeria welcomes U.S. assistance “as long as it recognises our territorial integrity,” adding that both nations share a common goal of ending terrorism. “By the time these two leaders meet and sit, there would be better outcomes in our joint resolve to fight terrorism,” he said.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that the country remains committed to tackling violent extremism while celebrating religious diversity.
Trump’s remarks follow his decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing alleged persecution of Christians.
Nigeria’s conflict with Boko Haram and ISWAP has claimed thousands of lives over the years, with reports of attacks on both Muslim and Christian communities.