“Only Sponsors of Terror Should Fear Trump — Archbishop Orkwar Warns Amid Renewed Benue Killings”

Benue State has once again come under siege as armed herdsmen attacks continue across nearly 20 of its 23 Local Government Areas, leaving residents in fear and despair. Within the last week alone, seven attacks have been recorded, claiming six lives and displacing many more, especially in Logo, Gwer West, Ohimini, and Ado LGAs.

These assaults persist despite former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to launch airstrikes against terrorists responsible for killing Christians in Nigeria. The attacks, according to reports, show the brazenness of the perpetrators who continue to invade Benue communities, dispossessing farmers of their ancestral lands.

Reacting to the development, Archbishop Yimam Orkwar — former Benue State CAN Chairman, General Overseer of All Nations Evangelism Ministry (ANEM), and President of the Christian Association of Clergies in Nigeria (CAC-Nig) — declared that only the sponsors and sympathisers of terrorism should fear Trump’s warning.

“If you are not a terrorist or a sponsor of terrorism, why should you be afraid?” Orkwar said. “Trump didn’t say he’s coming to overthrow Tinubu’s government. He said he’ll come after terrorists. If our leaders can’t protect us, then they should cooperate with him to flush these people out.”

The cleric described the ongoing killings as “genocide,” citing mass burials in Benue and Plateau States.

“Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria — that’s the truth. They are killing men, women, and children, taking over lands, and burning farms. What else is genocide?” he asked.

Orkwar accused successive governments of lacking the political will to confront the killers, stressing that the situation deteriorated under the previous administration and has persisted under President Tinubu.

“Tinubu started as someone who wanted to act, but now he seems distracted by 2027. If he can’t stop the killings, let him work with Trump. These terrorists are foreigners, and those who brought them in are still walking free.”

The Archbishop also urged the Federal Government to classify armed herdsmen as terrorists, arguing that doing so would empower security agencies to respond decisively.

“You don’t negotiate with terrorists. Once you do, they’ll use your money to buy more arms,” he warned.

He dismissed fears that U.S. involvement could compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty, insisting that international intervention becomes legitimate when genocide is taking place.

“Genocide is not just a national issue; it’s a universal concern. If the U.S. wants to help stop it, we should see that as an opportunity, not a threat.”

Concluding, Orkwar called on Nigerian leaders to act decisively:

“Our leaders must stop playing politics with people’s lives. Every Nigerian life matters. If Trump wants to help end terrorism, the government should cooperate. We cannot continue like this — people are being killed daily, and our nation has become the saddest place on earth.”

Opinion Nigeria News