A civil society organisation, Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance (GAPGG), has alleged that recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump were not driven by concerns over religious persecution but by Nigeria’s refusal to approve a U.S. military base and deportee resettlement deal.

Speaking at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, the group’s chairman, Usman Muhammed Anache, claimed that Washington had been pressuring Abuja to permit the establishment of a U.S. military base following the withdrawal of American forces from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

According to Anache, Nigeria’s decision to decline the request — along with its recent alignment with BRICS, the economic bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — may have strained bilateral relations with the United States.

“The U.S. is displeased because Nigeria refused its request to set up a military base and to house American deportees. They have now resorted to using religion, knowing how sensitive Nigerians are to faith-related issues,” Anache alleged.

He praised Nigerian Christian leaders who rejected Trump’s claim of a so-called “Christian genocide,” emphasizing that terrorist attacks in the country have affected both Muslims and Christians alike.

Anache also commended the Federal Government for what he described as its commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and promoting peace in West Africa.

“The divisive tactic of using religion to destabilize Nigeria will never succeed. This has been their plan since independence, but Nigeria has always stood united,” he stated.

Trump had, last week, accused Nigeria of permitting the mass killing of Christians and threatened possible U.S. military action — a statement that has drawn widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally.