Two members of the United States Congress have criticised President Donald Trump over his recent threat to cut off aid and launch military action against Nigeria, describing the remarks as “irresponsible and reckless.”
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa, said the comments were a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s complex security situation.
In a joint statement on Monday, the lawmakers faulted the Trump administration’s decision to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.
“The Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern ignores the complex reality of violence there,” the statement read.
They explained that most clashes between farmers and herders in Nigeria are driven by resource scarcity and land competition, not religion alone.
“Terrorist groups have targeted both Christians and Muslims, particularly in the northern region, where violent attacks by criminal gangs commonly referred to as bandits persist,” the lawmakers said.
They acknowledged efforts by President Bola Tinubu to promote interfaith harmony and address insecurity, noting that “all Nigerians deserve protection.”
Meeks and Jacobs also condemned Trump’s remarks threatening to “defend Christians” through possible military intervention, describing it as a reckless overreach.
“It is incredibly irresponsible for President Trump to threaten military action. Providing security support is one thing; threatening intervention is another matter entirely. Such rhetoric risks embroiling the United States in another needless war,” they said.
On Trump’s warning to cut off assistance to Nigeria, the lawmakers argued that such action would jeopardise critical humanitarian and development programmes.
“Trump’s aid cuts have blocked much-needed emergency nutrition and livelihoods training, the very types of programmes essential to stopping the spread of insurgency,” the statement added