FG: Diplomatic Talks With U.S. Easing Tensions as Global Reactions Trail Trump’s Comments on Nigeria

The Federal Government has said that ongoing diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the United States are beginning to yield positive results, helping to defuse tensions that arose following recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump on insecurity in Nigeria.

Speaking on a Sky News programme, The World with Yalda Hakim, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed that constructive dialogue between both nations was in progress and “yielding mutual understanding.”

“Channels of communication have been opened. We are talking to them, and I believe they are now appreciating the situation better,” Idris said.
“Much of the earlier misunderstanding arose from an incomplete grasp of the diversity and complexity of our domestic challenges.”

Idris disclosed that intelligence reports had established links between a proscribed separatist group in Nigeria and U.S.-based lobbyists allegedly spreading false narratives to policymakers.

“We have observed a direct connection between lobbyists in the United States and a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria. These groups are actively engaging influential people in the U.S. to advance misleading narratives,” he added.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to working with Washington on security, Idris noted that the U.S. had historically been a “dependable ally” in counterterrorism efforts and urged for renewed cooperation.

“We are calling for that partnership to be strengthened so that together, we can achieve lasting peace,” he said.

He dismissed reports of religious persecution, insisting that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that the ongoing conflicts were not faith-driven.

“Nigeria remains a multi-faith country, and the current conflicts are not driven by religious persecution,” Idris stated.

U.S. Congressman Calls for Sanctions, Not Invasion

In Washington, U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga expressed dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s handling of attacks on Christians, urging for targeted economic sanctions rather than military intervention.

“We were too late on Rwanda and South Sudan. Let’s not be too late again on this one,” Huizenga said during an interview with Arise News.

He clarified that he did not foresee an actual U.S. invasion, despite Trump’s earlier statements, saying that sanctions would be more effective in pressuring those responsible for violence.

“Sanctions really cut off the flow of money and travel. Economic pressure will have a positive impact,” he added.

Tinubu Meets Army Chief as Security Review Intensifies

Amid global reactions, President Bola Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Shaibu said Nigerians should expect “improved security nationwide,” noting that his operational tour of the Northeast had shown “encouraging progress.”

He confirmed that joint military operations were intensifying across several states, targeting insurgents and other armed groups.

Vatican Envoy: Nigeria’s Insecurity is Self-Inflicted

The Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelisation at the Vatican, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, has blamed Nigeria’s insecurity on internal divisions and intolerance.

“Differences are not supposed to be negative. God made creation with differences, but He also made them to be united,” he said at a reception in Abuja.
“Our diversity should be a source of beauty, not conflict. True peace will come only when Nigerians learn to build unity across faith and ethnic lines.”

CAN, Afenifere Urge Dialogue and Strategy

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and FCT urged Nigerians to respond to Trump’s comments with dialogue, not anger.

“Trump’s statement should be seen as an opportunity for constructive dialogue, not an outburst of anger,” said Rev. John Hayab, CAN’s northern chairman.

Similarly, Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group, warned that terrorism in Nigeria was “multifaceted”, urging tact, intelligence, and sincerity over conventional warfare.

“The approach to defeating terrorists requires diligence and sincerity. Rather than full-scale campaigns like Iraq or Afghanistan, intelligence sharing and limited operations would be more effective,” said Jare Ajayi, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary.

Orji Kalu: Trump Spoke the Truth

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission, also weighed in, saying Trump’s comments on killings in Nigeria were not false.

“Trump told the truth — Nigerians are being killed, whether they are Christians or Muslims. There are jihadists who want to destroy Nigeria,” Kalu said.

He added that the Nigerian Air Force’s recent airstrikes on terrorist hideouts may have benefited from U.S. intelligence cooperation.

“Before President Trump speaks, the U.S. intelligence community must have verified the facts. The Air Force’s actions suggest coordination,” Kalu noted.

Kalu further linked the region’s instability to the collapse of Libya and Iraq, saying the fall of Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein unleashed arms proliferation across Africa.

“After their deaths, light and heavy arms spilled across the world, and we are suffering from it today,” he said.

Opinion Nigeria News