Behind Trump’s Strange Threat: Is the US Planning to Attack Nigeria?
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, âciting mehr News Agency, the analytical website Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that Donald Trump’s shock threats against Nigeria have raised questions about America’s motives regarding âa potential military action against the âŁcountry-typical of issuesâ where Trump suddenly becomes involved.
The report notes that plans for military action against Nigeria have been fueled by â¤members of Congress and evangelical groups close to Trump.Despite Abuja’s efforts⢠to address Trump’s claims,including âNigerian President Bola Tinubu requesting âa meeting with⣠his American counterpart,Trump continued escalating tensions and even called for preparations for military intervention in⤠Nigeria.
Trump⣠and His Hasty Focus on Nigeria
An unnamed U.S.military official told Reuters that some American service members â¤anticipated⢠possible⤠action by Trump after U.S.⢠Senator Ted Cruz spoke in September and october about⤠Christians in nigeria.Cruz âclaimed at that time âŁthat Nigerian authorities⤠allowed genocide against Christians, which he said included tens of thousands âkilled over 15 years.
Victoria Coates, a former âofficial in âthe Trump administration now working at â˘the Heritage Foundation, told Reuters that as a major âŁoil âproducer, Nigeria must ensure security âso oil companies â¤can operate safely there.
However, CNN reported Monday â¤night from two sources that last Friday while en route to Florida, Trump saw a Fox News report-his favorite network-about attacks targeting Christians in Nigeria.He immediately became angry and requested moreâ data on the subject. following Trump’s social media remarks hinting at military action in âNigeria, U.S.⤠Africa command (AFRICOM) abruptly summoned its commanders.
Nigerian human rights advocate and security expert Bulama Bukarti expressed skepticism toward Trump’s comments âto CNN.â He described Trump’s statements as dangerously oversimplifying a complex⣠security crisis in Nigeria:â “The claim of mass Christian killings â¤by âIslamic extremists âdistorts âŁrealities on the ground” and risks deepening divisions âwithin an already strained country.
Trump’s Bidâ to Lead Global Christianity
Al âJazeera wrote that following the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk-a right-wingâ activist supporting Trump’s administration-Trump has intensified efforts to shift from populist leadership within america toward becoming head of global right-wing Christianity.
Symbolically assuming informal leadership over Western âChristian conservatives during his first speech at⢠his second presidential term’s UN General Assembly session,⣠he focused heavily onâ what he called persecution against Christianity worldwide.⣠He criticized the United Nations for “failing to protect freedom â¤of belief,” especially concerning Christians globally.
Trump urged worldâ leaders to â˘work toward “protecting Christianity.”â Last year, fulfilling promises made during his campaign addressing “anti-Christian bias,” he held⤠presidential campaign⢠events âŁfocused on this issue; this year he formed a committee dedicated to it and issued executive orders⢠aimed at safeguarding religious freedom.
simultaneouslyâ occurring, international affairs â˘expert Hudson described⣠Trump’s actions as largely performative âŁbut noted it would not be surprising if âWashington carried out limitedâ strikes both as proof of their stance’s seriousness and as an attempt to rally domestic public support.
Trump Distorting Realities â˘on Nigeria
The Armed Conflictâ Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), an institutionâ monitoring âcrises worldwide, published a report â¤showing thatâ between January 2020⢠and last September over 20,400 civilians were âkilled âacross attacks in Nigeria. Of these victims,317 âdeaths were linkedâ specifically to attacks targeting Christians, while 417 âdeaths resulted⤠from attacks aimed at Muslims.
Nnamdi Obasi,â security analyst and senior adviser at International⣠Crisis âŁGroupâ Research Center explained to CNN that extremist groups attacking both Christians and Muslims âhave created chaos across ânortheast Nigeria while intimidating Muslim-majority communities in northwest regions. Additionally,Catholic agricultural communities located mainly â˘around central northern areas suffer ongoing violence from armed groups.
However , Obasi emphasized most Nigerians live peacefully regardless⣠their religion . Reports depicting â˘widespread harassment⣠or mass killings solely against Christians misunderstand realities , exaggerating religiousâ conflicts nationwide .
⣠Ken Iloma Isiguzo , opposition Labor Party spokesman âalso⢠said Wednesday via CNN there is no evidence supporting President Trump’s⣠claims specifically alleging systemic targeting or âextermination campaignsâ directed only towards âChristian populations despite government’s indifferent attitude protecting⣠citizens .
â˘With population exceeding 232 million â˘distributed âŁamong approximately 250 ethnic groups⢠, Northern Nigerians predominately practise Islam whereas Southern communities areâ largely Christian .Supporters belonging âboth faith traditions fell victim warfare⣠waged by factionsâ such Boko Haram alongâ with West African branch ISIS militant cells. âConflicts often flare involving majority Muslim herders clashing violently with â˘chieflyâ Christian farmers competing land resources around â¤country’s Middle Belt ; meanwhile armed âmilitias â˘regularly raid villages throughout Northwest âdemanding ransom payments kidnapping residentsâ for⢠profit business .
