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Nigeria Welcomes U.S. Help Amid Trump’s Threats
The government of Nigeria said on Sunday that it is open to assistance from the Donald Trump-led United States in combating Islamist insurgents, provided the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are respected. A spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu’s office, Daniel Bwala, told news agencies that Nigeria “welcomes U.S. assistance as long as it recognises our territorial integrity”.
Context of the Threat
The remarks came after President Trump said he would ask the U.S. Department of Defence to prepare for possible military action if Nigeria does not stop the killing of Christians by extremist groups. In his post, he also warned of cutting off U.S. aid to Nigeria unless the government takes immediate action. The Nigerian government has rejected the characterization that it is failing to protect religious minorities and emphasised that violence in the country affects all communities.
Security and Diplomatic Implications
Nigeria has long struggled with insurgency and terrorism, especially from groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the northeast. The offer of U.S. assistance indicates a potential shift towards deeper cooperation, but Nigeria insists that any external help must align with its sovereignty and not lead to foreign unilateral military intervention. Analysts say that while terrorism remains a challenge, much of the violence is linked to broader issues such as land-use conflicts, banditry and ethnic tensions rather than purely religious persecution.
Outlook
For the U.S., this development opens a pathway for new cooperation in West Africa’s security architecture. For Nigeria, the key will be to manage aid and partnerships in a way that strengthens national institutions without undermining domestic control. Observers will watch closely whether the two countries set out a structured framework for U.S. support and how Nigeria responds to demands on religious-freedom reporting and aid conditionality.
