THE Presidency has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains firmly ahead of what it describes as “an orchestrated game unfolding in America,” following threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to launch military action in Nigeria over alleged widespread killings of Christians.
News Point Nigeria reports that Trump, in a series of statements over the weekend, warned that the United States would cut off aid, label Nigeria a pariah, and could deploy troops “guns-a-blazing” if the Nigerian government fails to halt what he termed “horrible atrocities” against Christians.
He ordered the newly renamed Department of War to “prepare for possible action.”
Responding, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had already taken proactive steps by reshuffling the nation’s security leadership and issuing a clear directive for a more aggressive and technology-backed counter-terrorism strategy.
“President Bola Tinubu was well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America as he told the new service chiefs on Thursday what Nigerians expect of them. No more excuses… Nigerians want results,” Onanuga wrote on X.
Tinubu, while charging his newly appointed service chiefs during a security briefing, warned that emerging threats in the North-Central, North-West, and some parts of the South must be crushed immediately.
“Security threats are constantly evolving. We must not allow these new threats to fester. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head,” Tinubu said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed Trump’s warning in a separate statement on X: “Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
He added that preparations were under way for potential military operations targeting extremist groups accused of sectarian attacks.
While diplomatic tensions rise, the Presidency confirmed that Tinubu is scheduled to meet Trump soon, either at the State House in Abuja or the White House in Washington to address what it describes as differences in perception regarding Nigeria’s security situation.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, said both leaders remained aligned on defeating terrorism but differ on the religious framing of the crisis.
“There will be discussions to resolve whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all faiths,” Bwala noted.
He praised Trump for previously approving arms sales to Nigeria, saying Tinubu had deployed those capabilities effectively.
Trump had, a day earlier, designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious persecution.
Tinubu dismissed the categorization, insisting that Nigeria is a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.
The Presidency maintains that terrorism in Nigeria is not religion-specific, noting that Muslims, churches, mosques, and local communities of various faiths suffer attacks.