Presidency says Tinubu is ahead of Trump’s military threat as Nigeria stands firm on security challenges
President Bola Tinubu
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigerian Presidency has sharply responded to President Donald Trump’s recent military threat against Nigeria, asserting that President Bola Tinubu is already ahead of “the orchestrated game” unfolding in the United States.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, wrote on X Sunday, highlighting Tinubu’s proactive stance on Nigeria’s security.
He shared excerpts from the President’s speech to new service chiefs last Thursday, stating, “Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South.
“We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.”
Onanuga quoted Tinubu urging the military leaders with clear resolve, “I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer.”
Trump had on Friday designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged violence against Christians and accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect religious minorities.
In his Saturday post, Trump escalated the rhetoric with a stark military warning noting, “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.”
The Presidency and Nigerian officials have consistently denied knowledge of religious persecution being orchestrated by the government.
Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso also weighed in, urging calm and constructive engagement.
On X, he stated, “It is important to emphasise that our country is a sovereign nation whose people face different threats from outlaws across the country. The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs.
“The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country.”
Kwankwaso urged diplomatic efforts over confrontation, calling for “special envoys” and permanent ambassadors to represent Nigeria’s interests internationally.
He concluded with a call for unity, “To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division. God bless Nigeria.”
The developments come as Nigeria faces complex security challenges, with its leadership determined to handle them internally and reject external threats.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser on Policy Communication to the President, Daniel Bwala, in a statement on Sunday said President Tinubu will soon hold a meeting with his United States counterpart, Trump, “in the coming days.”
He wrote on X, “Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interest in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity. Their meeting will provide an opportunity to clarify misconceptions, strengthen cooperation, and reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and peace.
“President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorising the sale of arms to Nigeria and President Tinubu has adequately utilised the opportunity in the fight against terrorism for which we have massive results to show for it.”tr
