…Say Trump’s threat to intervene militarily in Nigeria ‘reckless’

…Nigerian Govt not doing enough on security – US Congressman Huizenga

…Christians, Muslims face growing peril in Nigeria – Pope Leo XIV warns

A senior member of the United States Congress has cautioned that Washington has issued no approval for any military operation in Nigeria, criticising former President Donald Trump’s threats of deploying American troops over alleged Christian persecution as “reckless.”

During a congressional hearing in Washington DC on Thursday, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, of the House of Representatives, argued that portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as strictly religious distorts the country’s complex realities. She said the framing risks deepening tensions and undermining efforts to restore stability.

Jacobs said: “Distorting what’s happening into a solely religious narrative erases the real drivers of violence and makes it harder to implement effective solutions. It can also fuel violence against the very groups the Trump administration claims it wants to protect.”

The session, organized by the US House Subcommittee on Africa, explored Nigeria’s redesignation as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), a status signaling serious violations of religious freedom. After the announcement, Trump declared that he was prepared to intervene militarily “guns-a-blazing to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”

Jacobs cautioned that any unilateral deployment would breach international law and pose grave risks to civilians.

She said: “Congress has not authorised force in Nigeria to protect Christians, and any action without Nigeria’s consent would be illegal. A military-led solution could inflame extremism and impunity rather than resolve the problem.”

The congresswoman called on the US government to rely on diplomatic engagement and support long-term institutional reforms in Nigeria.

“We need to engage Nigeria on how we can support their response while pressing for essential reforms within their institutions. Funding programmes that address conflict drivers and prevent violence is critical if we are serious about protecting citizens,” she added.

Testimony also came from Congressman Bill Huizenga, who accused the Nigerian government of failing to act decisively while radicalised groups continue attacking Christians, moderate Muslims, and other communities.

“It ought to be outrageous that anyone is being terrorised in Nigeria, and yet the Tinubu government is doing very little,” Huizenga said, recalling a Christmas Eve 2023 assault that killed more than 200 people.

He criticised certain lawmakers and sections of the media for playing down the severity of attacks, arguing that misrepresentation weakens the chances of meaningful intervention.

The CPC designation originally imposed under Trump in 2020, and later removed by President Joe Biden, has revived debate over Nigeria’s capacity to safeguard its citizens. Trump has repeatedly claimed systematic persecution of Christians, a position Nigeria firmly disputes.

President Bola Tinubu said: “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our reality.”

Huizenga questioned the Nigerian delegation’s presentation in Washington, saying: “The Tinubu government is sitting back and not doing enough. I do not understand how a delegation can come to Washington and minimise this crisis with excuses. It should be rejected and called out for what it is.”

He also challenged the pattern of killings, asking: “Do we see Christians killing Muslims the way radicalised Islamists kill Christians in Muslim areas?”

Lawmakers heard painful testimony from survivors, including a widow from Yelewata, Benue State, who lost her husband and five children during an attack. With the help of a priest interpreting from Tiv, she recounted how her home was set on fire and how more than 200 people were killed.

Riley Moore, another congressman, said it was increasingly difficult to rely on the Nigerian government’s assurances when intelligence warnings are ignored.

Experts, including Oge Onubogu of the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, reminded the subcommittee that Nigeria’s insecurity stems from a mixture of land disputes, farmer–herder clashes, religious tension, and organised crime.

Several lawmakers maintained that military action would heighten civilian casualties and embolden extremist groups. They called for sustained diplomacy, governance reforms, and investment in peacebuilding initiatives addressing the roots of violence.

The Tinubu administration insists Nigeria remains committed to constitutional guarantees on religious freedom, pushing back against any claim of systematic persecution.

Nigeria’s CPC status was scrapped early in the Biden administration, but the issue has gained renewed international attention following recent attacks.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted President Tinubu’s decision to cancel his planned visits to South Africa and Angola, arguing the move fails to address the worsening insecurity in the country.

In a statement on Thursday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described the cancellations as “a cosmetic gesture” at a time when Nigerians are demanding substantive action.

The Presidency announced the cancelled trips shortly after public outrage over the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State.

Ememobong said the President’s decision “may look sympathetic, but it is the latest and boldest example of tokenism”, adding that such gestures have done little to halt the steady rise in nationwide attacks.

“If the APC-led Presidency disagrees with this position, then we demand that President Tinubu temporarily relocate to Kebbi State and other theatres of armed conflict in Northern Nigeria,” he stated.

He argued that such a move would increase pressure on security agencies to act with urgency and lift the morale of frontline troops.

“As President and Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu must not recline in the comfort of the Presidential Villa at a time when 25 schoolgirls have been abducted and their whereabouts remain unknown,” Ememobong added.

The party linked recent violence in Kwara State to what it described as the “daily reality of fear” confronting Nigerians. It accused the government of responding to escalating insecurity with “denials, rationalised explanations, empty assurances, and other superficial gestures”, including the cancelled foreign trip.

The President has since directed Defence Minister Bello Matawalle to relocate to Kebbi State to lead rescue efforts for the abducted students.

In a separate development, Pope Leo XIV has voiced concern over persistent attacks on religious communities in Nigeria. He said Christians and Muslims in several regions face “serious danger”.

Speaking on the unfolding crisis, the Pope stressed that the violence cannot be interpreted solely as a conflict of faith, noting the roles of terrorism, land disputes, and economic pressures.

“In Nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly danger for Christians but for all people,” he said. “Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered. There’s a question of terrorism. There’s a question that has to do a lot with economics, if you will, in control of the lands that they have.”

He mourned the high number of Christian casualties, while emphasising that the crisis affects citizens of every background.

“Unfortunately, many Christians have died and I think it’s very important to seek a way, the government with all people,  to promote authentic religious freedom and respect for all people,” the Pope added.