The Nigerian government has firmly stated its position regarding the potential deployment of American troops on its soil, urging United States President Donald Trump to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Daniel Bwala, an aide to President Bola Tinubu, expressed this stance on Tuesday during an appearance on Russia National TV. He dismissed allegations of religious persecution as part of a “orchestrated media campaign” aimed at portraying the Tinubu administration as anti-Christian. Bwala emphasized that independent global monitors and organizations had found no evidence supporting claims of state-backed religious genocide, asserting, “We try our best to downplay the rhetoric because we know for sure that that can be the reflection of the realities on ground.”
Bwala further criticized U.S. senators, including Ted Cruz, for being misled by sympathizers of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who are purportedly attempting to sway Washington’s foreign policy. He stated, “The decision of President Trump is anchored on the various tweets and pushes by congressmen. And the congressmen rely on a data and report that were submitted by a separatist group in Nigeria called the IPOB, that there’s a genocide of Christians in Nigeria, which is false.”
He pointed out that reputable intelligence and non-governmental organizations conducting research on violence in Nigeria have not corroborated the claims made by IPOB. Bwala noted, “In fact, even the content of the data contradicts that,” referencing reports that indicate killings in Nigeria are not confined to any single religious group.
He highlighted findings from the Inter-Society and the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa, which indicated that victims of violence include Christians, Muslims, and individuals of other faiths alike, stating, “How can you write a report like that and also conclude that there is a genocide of one of them?”
Bwala continued, underscoring the narrative that has been perpetuated since 2016 by IPOB, which claims a genocide against Christians due to their Jewish heritage. He remarked, “But we as a country, we try to be responsible enough to focus on the solution and not the problem.”
He acknowledged the persistent violence in Nigeria but affirmed that the government is making significant strides in combatting insecurity. “And we’re calling on Donald Trump to assist us with military apparatus that is requisite for us to fight insecurity. We do not need the boots of the American soldiers in our soil. There has to be a respect of our territorial integrity,” he concluded.
Bwala’s statements come amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the U.S. following Trump’s post on Truth Social, where he accused the Nigerian government of permitting “Christian genocide” and warned of potential U.S. action if the violence continues.
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