Nigeria rejects US interference over alleged religious persecution
(MENAFN) Nigeria has ruled out allowing any American troops on its territory, asserting that the country does not need “foreign boots on its soil” following US President Donald Trump’s warning of potential intervention over alleged persecution of Christians.
In an interview on Monday, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, emphasized that Washington must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty. “We do not need the boots of American soldiers on our soil,” Bwala said. “There has to be respect for our territorial integrity.”
Trump had recently designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” suggesting possible strikes to “protect” Christians. Bwala dismissed the allegations of a “Christian genocide” as disinformation spread by separatist groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“These narratives have been amplified since 2016 and are now influencing right-wing circles in the US,” he said, stressing that violence in Nigeria affects all faiths equally.
The adviser also pointed to past claims of foreign interference, referencing a US congressional hearing that questioned whether CIA funds might have indirectly supported extremist groups like Boko Haram. “There have long been concerns about foreign interference,” he noted, adding that Nigeria prefers cooperation over blame.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges—including porous borders and an under-resourced police force—Bwala insisted the country was making progress. “We have fewer than 400,000 police officers for a population of 230 million,” he said. “If there’s any collaboration we need, it is in intelligence sharing.”
Bwala thanked Trump for earlier arms sales, including Super Tucano aircraft, but criticized operational restrictions tied to their use. He also downplayed Trump’s recent comments, suggesting they should be viewed as an invitation for dialogue rather than a threat.
“President Trump, being a businessman, that has been his tactic and style of communication,” Bwala said. “In Nigeria, we don’t take that word in its literal sense—we see it as a call to sit down and discuss how to strengthen the fight against insurgency.”
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