Trump’s Nigeria Military Action: Anxiety in North as fear of US military invasion grips Nigeria
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Concern’, fear and tension have taken their tolls on the Northern part of the country.
Eloquent public affairs commentator, Mahsi Shehu, has admitted that the northern part of Nigeria has been swallowed in fear over president of the United States of America’s threat to invade the country to launch a manhunt against the Islamic terrorists.
Addressing the situation in an interview, Shehu said the fear has actually booked a room among the Muslims in the North, as he described Trump’s remark as targetted, biased and reckless.
“There is palpable fear, anxiety and apprehension in the North, particularly among Muslims, over Trump’s reckless, biased and targeted intention to attack ‘Islamic terrorists’ in Nigeria,” he said.
Shehu conceded that various northern Christians have publicly welcomed President Trump’s threat because they strongly believe that Trump’s remark on Christian genocide in Nigeria is true, but Shehu noted that the president’s claim is one-sided and deceptive.
“It is a pity that Christians are celebrating and eager for Trump’s attack, forgetting that when the attack begins, only God can count the corpses of both innocent Christians and Muslims,” he warned.
He stated that if Trump goes as he has planned, the consequences would get out of hands.
“When Trump eventually strikes, which he will, nobody will be able to control the chaos, confusion and backlash that will follow,” he said.
Shehu also nailed some religious leaders who, in his perspective, are gaining from echoing Mr. Trump’s Christian genocide claim.
“Those parading as religious leaders and benefiting financially from this narrative should remember that Nigeria is not Somalia, Sudan, Bosnia or Nicaragua. Nigerians will not fold their arms and watch Trump destroy it and create 200 million refugees,” he added.
He stressed that many Muslims in the country and around the globe view Trump’s threat as condiment of enduring pattern method in U.S. policy.
“Rightly or wrongly, many Muslims believe Trump’s warmongering in Nigeria has a hidden motive and is an extension of his hate for Islam and Muslims,” he said.
He also claimed that religion is never a thing people select like a commodity from a store, and issued a warning to President Donald Trump against inciting a wider global crisis.
“No Muslim went to a market to buy Islam, just as no Christian bought Christianity. It is hereditary. Trump is pushing his luck too far,” he said.
“He thinks once he attacks Nigeria, African and global Muslim populations will submit. Far from it. He would open a new chapter of global clash whose dimensions can only be imagined.”
He implored all Nigerians to maintain calmness, prayerfulness and focus.
“Nigerians of good conscience should remain in ardent prayers but must not lose their bearing because of the irritating Trump,” he said.
Concluding his narrative, Shehu ended with Quranic verses, reminding the Muslim to look to GOD in a time of fear and uncertainty: Qur’an 64:11: “No calamity befalls anyone except by Allah’s will…
And Allah has perfect knowledge of all things.”
Bokaji Adamu: Trump’s Military Threat Could Boomerang
The Country Director of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), Bokaji Adamu, has issued a warning to President Donald Trump that his threat against Nigeria could boomerang and aggravate insecurity across the borders if not properly and carefully handled.
In an interview, who happens to be a retired Army Captain, described Trump’s remark on a possible invasion of U.S. military as more of a political tone and a pressure strategy than actual military move.
He stated during the stretch of the interview that such a move by the president would bring serious political, legal, and regional backlash from regional bodies like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), and the United Nations (UN).
“A full invasion is very unlikely. Launching a direct U.S. invasion of Nigeria will trigger strong opposition from ECOWAS, the AU, the U.S. Congress, and the international community,” Adamu said.
Howbeit, he noted that the proposed invasion of Nigeria by the United States’ army is unrealistic, limited military actions such as airstrikes, the deployment of special forces, or the suspension of the U.S. aid and security cooperation were possible.
“There is a realistic possibility of targeted airstrikes against Boko Haram or ISWAP hideouts, or even a temporary suspension of military assistance and funding to Nigeria,” he added.
He warned that such moves could affect Nigeria’s counterterrorism cooperation with the United States, which has been key to intelligence sharing and technical supports.
“If the United States acts unilaterally, it could weaken intelligence sharing and military collaboration,” he said.
“Nigeria may react defensively, citing national pride and sovereignty.”
He went further to explain that any foreign military intervention could instigate nationalist sentiments among various Nigerians, pushing both the government and citizens to rebuff external involvement in security issues.
“Uncoordinated foreign attacks may kill innocent civilians. That could turn local populations against the Nigerian government and the United States, and even help insurgents gain sympathy and new recruits,” he said.
In his statement, while the U.S. airstrikes would destabilise Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, the lasting effects might be the opposite.
“These groups have strong local networks and years of experience. They could use any U.S. attack as propaganda, claiming that Islam is under attack by the West. This narrative will attract more recruits and increase radicalization,” Adamu explained.
He also warned that if pressure increases in Nigeria’s northeast, insurgents could flee into neighbouring countries such as Niger,Cameroon, and Chad, spreading violence across the Lake Chad Basin region.
Suggesting how Nigeria should react, Adamu advised the federal government to be firm on legal and transparent cooperation with any foreign partner.
“Any external military activity must follow international law and be coordinated through the African Union and the United Nations,” he said.
He pleaded with the government to protect humanitarian and development aid, warning that cutting off such support would worsen poverty and unemployment, conditions that already feed terrorism.
Adamu also advised the government to communicate with the populace to impede panic and the proliferation of misinformation by extremist groups.
“The government should communicate openly with citizens to avoid panic and to stop extremists from twisting the situation to their advantage,” he said.
He stressed that civilian protection should remain a top focus in any security operation.
“Every operation must be designed to safeguard civilians. When innocent lives are lost, it undermines public trust and strengthens extremists,” Adamu said.
In his conclusion, the human rights lawyer said that Trump’s military threat was politically motivated but military unrealistic.
“Trump’s statement is political posturing. It may lead to limited U.S. actions or aid cuts that could disrupt counterterrorism temporarily, but it will not end the crisis,” Adamu warned.
“If poorly managed, it could worsen Nigeria’s security and humanitarian situation, and even threaten regional stability.”
A Kano resident, knows as Halima Yusuf, expressed concerns and fear that Trump’s comment makes it seem like Muslims are a known problems. She noted that people could get harmed based on wrong assumptions.
She stressed that the situation is causing unnecessary tension between the Christians and Muslims in the country.
“Many people are already anxious because they are unsure whether Trump will carry out his threat,” she said.
