November 03, (THEWILL) — Reactions have continued to trail President Donald Trump’s threat to launch military attack on Nigeria following his declaration on Friday, October 31, 2025 that Christianity is facing an “existential threat” in Nigeria, alleging widespread killings of Christians by what he called “radical Islamists,” and pledging that America will intervene to stop the “mass slaughter.”
A day after the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, described the allegations of systematic Christian persecution as “misleading,” insisting that victims of insecurity in Nigeria cut across all faiths and ethnic groups, two Presidential aides have reacted separately at the weekend, disclosing that President Bola Tinubu would meet with President Trump to sort things out, even as the Nigerian president had already started tackling the terrorism menace by giving fresh orders to the new Service Chiefs to go after terrorists and smash them.
At the weekend, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, disclosed on a post on X at the weekend that Tinubu was prepared to meet with Trump to clarify misconceptions about the nature of terrorist attacks in Nigeria.
“Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interests in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity,” Bwala said, adding, “President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorising the sale of arms, and President Tinubu has adequately utilised that opportunity in the fight against terrorism, with massive results to show for it. As for the differences, as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all faiths, those would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders when they meet in the coming days, either in State House or the White House.”
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga said on Sunday that President Tinubu was well ahead of the game orchestrating in America as he told the new Service Chiefs on Thursday what Nigerians expected of them. The Service Chiefs are General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Waheedi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff), Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye (Chief of Defence Intelligence).
Here is the excerpt of President Tinubu speech, Onanuga said on his X platform on Sunday: “Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the heart. Nigerians expect results. I charge you also to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let us stay ahead of those who threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer.
Responding to the escalating tension between Abuja and Washington, a senior government official who confided in THEWILL, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to diplomacy while stressing that the country would not accept threats from any foreign actor.
“President Tinubu remains committed to constructive international relations, but Nigeria will not be bullied by any political figure, past or present. Our foreign policy is guided by sovereignty, mutual respect and national interest. No external threat will determine how we govern our nation”, the official said.
The source, however, hinted that consultations are ongoing at the highest level to evaluate diplomatic options, noting that Nigeria values its partnership with the United States but will defend its dignity if provoked.
“Partnership does not mean subordination. We work with allies, not masters”, the source added.
However, a global advocacy group, Open Doors, recently estimated that nearly 70 percent of all Christians killed worldwide for their faith last year were Nigerians, warning that the country remains the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian.
Human rights organisations also estimate that thousands of Christians are killed annually in Nigeria, with many communities displaced in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, Niger, and parts of Taraba states.
In his reaction, Paul Onovo, a PDP chieftain, on Sunday called for decisive national action against insecurity.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onovo said that the government should focus on comprehensive security response rather than prolonged debates over the characterisation of the violence.
He said: “There should be political will to crush the insurgency. The facts are clear that ordinary Nigerians die of terrorist attacks, let us forget about creed or religion. Why should there be killings at all? There should not be killings. We cannot deny that the terrorists kill Muslims also. Why should anybody be killed.
He, however, said that the country should show willingness to receive assistance from the U.S. in whatever way possible, to end insecurity in some parts of the country.
In another reaction, Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, condemned U.S. President, Donald Trump, over remarks suggesting possible military action against Nigeria, describing the statement as a direct assault on the nation’s sovereignty. Gumi said on Sunday that Trump’s comments were unbecoming of a global political figure and demanded a firm diplomatic response from the Nigerian government.
“For Trump to threaten a sovereign country with military attack is a profound disrespect to our authority, but we can rise above it. President Tinubu should summon the U.S. ambassador; they either retract their threats or we sever diplomatic ties with this irresponsible regime”, he wrote in a post on his Facebook page.
Gumi argued that Nigeria must assert its dignity and refuse to be intimidated, adding that the nation has viable strategic partners beyond the United States.
Also, former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately convene a meeting with all past Nigerian leaders to discuss and address the recent threat issued.
Lamido, in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, described the invasion threat as “very ominous,” warning that its consequences could be dire if not properly handled.
He said, “The threat of war on Nigeria from President Trump of the United States of America, under whatever guise, is very ominous. The consequences of such action cannot be imagined.”
Lamido called for unity among Nigerians, stressing that this is the time for all citizens, regardless of creed or background, to rally around the nation’s sovereignty.
“It is now time for all Nigerians of all creed to unite around our sovereignty. President Tinubu, on his part, must swallow his pride and invite all our past leaders for a closed-door meeting to fully discuss and find a way around this dangerous development,” Lamido stated.
In a post, shared on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump disclosed that he had instructed U.S. lawmakers, Riley Moore and Tom Cole, along with the House Appropriations Committee, to investigate the Nigerian crisis and provide a report with actionable recommendations.
Trump’s ambassador-designate for International Religious Freedom, Mark Walker, called for increased U.S. pressure on Nigeria to end religious violence, saying between 4,000 and 8,000 Christians are killed each year. He added that he would work closely with Senator Marco Rubio and the U.S. State Department to intensify diplomatic efforts once confirmed, stressing that Washington “must be much more proactive.”
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz also weighed in, claiming that more than 50,000 Nigerian Christians have been killed since 2009 and over 20,000 churches and Christian schools destroyed, describing the situation as “a crisis of religious genocide.”
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
