The Federal Government of Nigeria says ongoing diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the United States are producing positive results aimed at reducing tensions between both countries following recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Nigeria Confirms Constructive Talks With the United States
Speaking on the UK-based Sky News programme The World With Yalda Hakim on Monday night, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said that communication channels between both nations had been reopened and that discussions were 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.”
The minister revealed that intelligence reports had established links between a proscribed separatist organisation in Nigeria and certain U.S.-based lobby groups allegedly spreading misleading narratives about the country.
“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 false narratives,” he stated.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s longstanding partnership with the United States in counterterrorism, Idris called for renewed cooperation to strengthen peace and stability.
“Yes, we acknowledge that there are conflicts and security issues in parts of Nigeria. However, the U.S. has always been a dependable ally. We are calling for that partnership to be strengthened so that together we can achieve lasting peace,” he added.
He further dismissed some of the statistics circulating about killings in Nigeria, saying they were exaggerated and unscientific, and reaffirmed that religious freedom remains constitutionally protected in the country.
US Congressman Calls for Sanctions, Not Military Action
Meanwhile, U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga has criticised the Nigerian government’s handling of attacks on Christians, urging Washington to impose economic sanctions rather than launch a military intervention.
In an interview with Arise News in Washington, Huizenga described the violence in Nigeria as alarming but said sanctions on individuals and organisations financing attacks would be a more effective response.
“Sanctions really cut off the flow of money and travel. Economic pressure will have a positive impact,” he said.
The lawmaker, a supporter of Trump’s religious freedom resolution, cautioned that Nigeria risked repeating tragedies like Rwanda and South Sudan if decisive action was not taken.
“We were too late on Rwanda and South Sudan. Let’s not be too late again,” he warned.
Tinubu Meets Army Chief Amid Heightened Security Concerns
Amid the diplomatic exchanges, President Bola Tinubu met behind closed doors with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to review ongoing security operations.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, General Shaibu assured Nigerians of improved security nationwide, following his recent assessment of military operations in the Northeast.
“I came to brief the President on my visit to the Northeast and other security situations across the country, which are satisfactory within this period,” he said.
The assurance follows intensified joint operations targeting insurgents and bandits in Borno, Katsina, and Kwara states, where the Nigerian Air Force recently neutralised hundreds of terrorists.
Vatican Envoy: Nigeria’s Insecurity is Self-Inflicted
The Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelisation at the Vatican, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, has warned that Nigeria’s insecurity is self-inflicted, blaming deep divisions and intolerance for the nation’s instability.
During a ceremony at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja, the Vatican envoy urged Nigerians to embrace unity in diversity.
“Our differences should be sources of beauty, not conflict. Whether we are Christians or Muslims, unity flows from our knowledge of God,” he said.
Northern CAN Urges Dialogue, Not Anger
Reacting to the diplomatic tensions, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the FCT called for dialogue and restraint over Trump’s remarks.
Rev. John Joseph Hayab, chairman of Northern CAN, said Nigerians must use the situation to foster national reflection rather than division.
“Donald Trump’s statement should be seen as an opportunity for constructive dialogue, not an outburst of anger,” he advised.
He added that Nigerians must work together to end the killings and rebuild trust.
“When we stop the killings, peace will become the centre of our nation’s growth and transformation,” he said.
Afenifere Opposes ‘War Approach’, Calls for Intelligence-Driven Strategy
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has cautioned against using the “war approach” to tackle terrorism, describing Nigeria’s security crisis as multifaceted.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jare Ajayi, Afenifere said the country needs tact, intelligence, and sincerity in fighting terrorism.
“Rather than full-scale campaigns like Iraq or Afghanistan, we prefer information sharing, training in surveillance, and limited airstrikes where necessary,” the group stated.
Orji Kalu: Trump Didn’t Lie About Killings in Nigeria
Also commenting, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) said President Trump was right to highlight the killings in Nigeria, noting that both Christians and Muslims are victims.
“Trump told the truth. Nigerians are being killed—Christians and Muslims alike. There are jihadists who want to destroy Nigeria. They must be blacklisted,” he said.
Kalu disclosed that he had engaged two former U.S. Presidents and several senators on Nigeria’s security challenges, saying America remains ready to assist.
“Before Trump speaks, American intelligence must have confirmed terrorist locations. You can see that our Air Force is already acting on that intelligence,” he added.
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