Nigeria has responded to President Donald Trump’s warning that the U.S. may go into the country “guns-a-blazing to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists” killing Christians and other groups.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on the weekend.
Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, said Nigeria would “welcome” American help with its security problem but Trump must respect the country’s sovereignty.
“We welcome U.S. assistance as long as it recognises our territorial integrity,” Bwala told Reuters. “I am sure by the time these two leaders meet and sit, there would be better outcomes in our joint resolve to fight terrorism.”
Tinubu denies that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria. The government argues Christians are some of the many people across all religions falling victim to terrorists operating in the country.
Bwala sought to play down tensions between the Nigeria and the U.S. states. “I am sure by the time these two leaders meet and sit, there would be better outcomes in our joint resolve to fight terrorism,” he said.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.