Outrage yesterday trailed plans by US President Donald Trump to attack Nigeria over alleged genocidal killings of Christians in the country.
Recall that President Trump had threatened to take such action, following the failure of the Federal Government to check the high level of insecurity, which had been compounded by the activities of a new terror group, Lakurawa, kidnappers and bandits, aside from Boko Haram.
But several groups and individuals in the country have railed against the plan, saying that though the Federal Government had been unable to address the security challenges in the country, it was incumbent on the US government to assist her in contending with the problem.
They also said the killings in the country were not targeted at any particular group or faith, stressing that both Muslims and Christians were often killed by terror groups and other violent criminal gangs in the country.
Among those who reacted to the planned attack yesterday were the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN; the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC; former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai, retd; Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi; the presidential candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso and civil society organisations, CSOs.
Efforts to get the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, and Sharia Council to react proved abortive but the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, specifically said it would issue a statement on the issue today.
Reacting to the planned attack, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, said God had used President Trump to blow the trumpet on the mass killings in Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Borno, Southern Kaduna and other parts of Nigeria, and urged the federal government to put an end to the genocide.
PFN’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Sylvanus Ukafia, said: “Christian communities have been targeted in unabated mass killings in Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Borno, Southern Kaduna and other parts of Nigeria.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has put out the statistics online that all of us are aware.
“As the Lord has stirred up President Trump to blow the trumpet on this evil, we join all peace loving and right thinking Nigerians to call on the federal government to put an end to this genocide.
‘’Romans 12:19 NLT says ‘Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord. God will determine how to avenge us in this matter based on scripture.”
Direct attacks on Boko Haram, ISIS, ISWAP, MURIC tells Trump
On its part, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, stated: “President Donald Trump of the United States has threatened to attack Nigeria over the Christian genocide narrative.
“Taken contextually, Trump’s threat should be seen as directed at terrorist groups. If that is so, our response to the threat is simple and straightforward.
“Terrorists are not part of us. Their methods stand in contradistinction to the tenets of Islam. We condemn terrorism and we will not associate with those who kill and maim. We reject ideologies of kidnapping and extortion. They are alien to Islam.
“Regarding President Trump’s threat, Nigerians should remain calm. There is no cause for alarm, particularly for peace-loving and law-abiding Muslims and other Nigerians.
“US strikes will make sense if they are directed at terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS and ISWAP who have been killing both Muslims and Christians’ bandits who have been kidnapping both Muslims and Christians should also be on Trump’s hit list. Trump and the US will be hailed if this is the objective.
“The truth is that the Nigerian government has been fighting these criminals. Our gallant soldiers have been in the trenches all along against these enemies of humanity. Both our government and the good people of Nigeria will be glad if America will confront them.
‘’We need such help and it will be good riddance to bad rubbish if every Boko Haram, ISIS and ISWAP element in this country can be eliminated.
“But such strikes will be considered aggression and a resumption of the Christian crusade of the 19th century if innocent Muslims and mosques are targeted or if Muslim leaders are attacked or become victims of rendition and the attendant waterboarding.
“We urge law-abiding Muslims and other Nigerians to eschew thoughts of anti-Trump or anti-American actions over this threat. Nigerians should go about their lawful duties without entertaining any fear. The world is watching.
“In particular, we warn against the formation of any militant group by any Islamic organisation in response to Trump’s threat. Such groups are most likely to end up harassing innocent Nigerians, including Muslims.
“Muslim youths, North and South, of the country are advised to avoid public protests over Trump’s threat. We should allow the Nigerian government to handle the matter through diplomatic channels.
“To the Nigerian government, we advice persuasion and robust diplomacy. Threats should not be met with counter-threats.
“We of the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, will not betray our avowed motto, namely, ‘Dialogue, Not Violence’ and we implore fellow Nigerians, particularly Muslim youths, to imbibe this principle of nonviolence.
“As we draw the curtain, we appeal to Muslims to continue the spirit of forgiveness, tolerance and love. We must not allow any feeling of hatred, vengeance or transferred aggression towards our Christian neighbours.
“Ditto for foreigners in our midst. We must not forget that hospitality is a core principle in Islam. We have no hard feelings towards American citizens because we are aware that there is a huge difference between American citizens and their governments. The average American is warm, humane and hospitable.”
US/Nigeria stand-off could lead to crisis if not addressed — Buratai
Also reacting, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, retd, warned that the diplomatic tension between the United States of America and Nigeria over alleged “Christian genocide” could lead to a dangerous crisis if not urgently addressed.
Buratai, in a statement, said the genocide claim was false and oversimplified Nigeria’s complex security situation.
He warned that any US attempt to threaten or pressure Nigeria would backfire, weaken America’s global credibility, and push Nigeria closer to China and Russia.
He advised the US to abandon threats and instead pursue private, strategic cooperation through intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism support, and economic partnership.
He criticised the federal government for failing to counter the damaging narrative internationally and urged immediate diplomatic action, including lobbying in Washington and engagement of Christian and Muslim leaders to speak with one voice.
The former Army chief warned the USA that coercion, sanctions or military intimidation against “Africa’s largest economy and most populous democracy” would only damage American credibility and drive Nigeria into the arms of China and Russia.
“Public ultimatums weaken, not strengthen, American influence. A nation of over 200 million people cannot be bullied into compliance,” he said.
He argued that a destabilised Nigeria would ignite regional chaos, intensifying terrorism, illegal migration and economic collapse across West Africa, outcomes that directly undermined US security interests.
Buratai also issued a blunt message to the Nigerian government, warning that silence in the face of global misinformation was now a national security risk.
“This is not the time for indignant denials. Nigeria must reclaim its story, mobilise credible Christian and Muslim voices, and dismantle the genocide falsehood before it becomes policy.
“This is a defining moment. Every Nigerian must unite behind the state. A divided nation invites intervention; a united one repels it,” he said.
Trump’s claims unfounded, premature — Gumi
Similarly, renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, described Trump’s claims as unfounded and premature.
“My comment on Trump’s allegations—yes, I call them allegations because he himself is asking Congress to investigate what he calls genocide. That means he is not even certain before making such a serious accusation. One should confirm facts before taking drastic steps,” he said.
Dr. Gumi acknowledged Nigeria’s security challenges but dismissed claims of religious persecution.
“Nobody denies that Nigeria is facing insecurity and bloodshed, but it is not targeted at any particular religion or ethnic group. It is a widespread crisis caused by multiple long-standing factors.
“What I can say categorically is that steps are now being taken in the right direction. However, a problem that has existed for decades requires time, effort and energy to resolve,’’ he said.
He questioned the sincerity of the United States, arguing that if America were genuinely concerned, it would support Nigeria’s military capacity, rather than issue threats.
“I wonder why, instead of threatening to bomb us, America does not supply us with the military hardware we actually need. The last time, even during severe economic hardship, a former president had to break Nigerian law and face impeachment calls just to take $500 million, money the country badly needed for development, to buy Tucano aircraft. ‘’These are not even fighter jets, but outdated planes that are no longer in real combat use. If the U.S. is truly concerned about Nigerians, why not help strengthen our economy and military?” He queried.
Dr. Gumi further described Trump as “increasingly irrelevant,” recalling the former U.S. president’s controversial stance on global issues.
“This is the same thing he did in Gaza, dramatising peace while enabling Israel’s atrocities against innocent civilians,” he alleged.
He urged the Nigerian government to respond firmly and called for national unity, especially among religious leaders.
“The Nigerian government must not take this lightly. We must unite as a nation. More importantly, Christian leaders should publicly refute these allegations. What happened in the past were clashes between herders and farming communities, and both Muslims and Christians suffered casualties.
‘’Now that tensions have reduced, this is the time for good Christians and good Muslims to speak up for peace. Let us unite and build a country where everyone can live peacefully,” he added.
Insecurity doesn’t distinguish religious, ethnic or political beliefs — Kwankwaso
On his part, former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, disagreed with pronouncements on Nigeria by President Donald Trump, insisting that insecurity doesn’t distinguish religious, ethnic or political beliefs.
Kwankwaso, who took to his X handle, said: “I have noted with increasing concern the heightened pronouncements on Nigeria by President Donald Trump. This follows his designation of Nigeria as a “country of particular concern.”
