Group Rejects Trump’s Genocide Claim, Warns Against Military Action

The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has dismissed recent claims by former United States President Donald Trump suggesting that Christians in Nigeria are facing genocide, describing the assertion as false, misleading, and capable of inflaming religious tensions.

In a statement issued in Abuja, NAN chairman, Salihu Sulaiman, said insecurity in Nigeria should not be misrepresented as religious persecution, noting that the crisis is rooted in a complex mix of political, ethnic, and economic factors.

Sulaiman expressed concern over what he called “an alarming surge in rhetoric” that portrays Nigeria as a country engaged in the systematic extermination of Christians, warning that such narratives distort reality and risk deepening national divisions.

“The situation in Nigeria is not a straightforward case of religious persecution but rather a multifaceted crisis characterized by political, ethnic, and economic dimensions.

“The ongoing violence in Nigeria has affected both Muslims and Christians, with extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP attacking people indiscriminately, irrespective of their faith,” he said.

He cited records of attacks on Muslim worshippers from 2013 to 2025 as evidence that violence in Nigeria is not confined to any single religious group.

While urging international partners to adopt a nuanced understanding of Nigeria’s challenges, the NAN chairman warned Trump against calls for military intervention in the country, saying such actions could worsen Nigeria’s fragile democracy.

“We caution President Donald Trump against hasty military interventions in Nigeria. Such actions could exacerbate the already fragile state of our democracy and risk further destabilization,” Sulaiman stated.

He also accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of engaging in political maneuvers capable of undermining Nigeria’s democracy.

According to him, Wike’s alleged interference in the affairs of opposition parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) threatens political stability and the rule of law.

“Wike’s dangerous machinations have the potential to incite unrest and polarize an already divided populace,” Sulaiman alleged, urging Trump to impose sanctions, including visa bans, on individuals “working against Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”

The Northern Awareness Network called for continued diplomatic engagement, dialogue, and peacebuilding efforts rather than external military intervention, stressing that only unity and mutual understanding among Nigerians can guarantee sustainable peace.

“We believe the United States can play a vital role by prioritizing diplomacy over force and supporting efforts to strengthen democratic governance and social cohesion in Nigeria,” the group concluded.