ABUJA—President Bola Tinubu on Thursday assured Nigerians that his government is “engaging with the world diplomatically” following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of military action against terror groups in Nigeria over the alleged mass killing of Christians, according to PUNCH reporting.
Government Response and Diplomatic Channels
Speaking at the Federal Executive Council meeting, President Tinubu urged Nigerians not to “succumb to despair,” promising: “We assure all of you that we will defeat terrorism in this country.” He noted the confidence shown by the recent $2.3bn Eurobond being “oversubscribed by 400 per cent” as an assuring sign of stability despite the “political headwinds.”
Tinubu’s remarks follow a tumultuous period where President Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and ordered the U.S. Department of War to “prepare for possible action” over the alleged “mass killing of Christians.”
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, addressed the media afterward, insisting the Federal Government is “calm” and will “not panic” over Trump’s threats. Idris confirmed that “formal diplomatic channels” have been opened with U.S. officials, stating: “We prefer that this situation be solved diplomatically.” He reiterated that Nigeria is confronting security challenges “with responsibility and balance” and that freedom of religion is constitutionally protected.
Separately, a coalition of northern elders and the Northern Elders Forum rejected calls by some U.S. right-wing lawmakers to ban Sharia law, describing the push as “a direct assault on Islam.” They insisted that northern states would not yield to pressure from the United States Government.