The Federal Government says it is engaging in diplomatic talks with authorities of the United States following a recent military threat issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during an interview on Sky News, noting that communication channels between both governments have been opened to ease rising tensions.
“Channels of communication have been opened. I can confirm that we are talking with them, and I think they are understanding the situation better,” Idris said.
“We believe that most of the information is a result of a lack of proper understanding of the diversity and complexity of the problem we have at hand.”
The minister stressed that Nigeria had not lost any territory to Boko Haram insurgents, insisting that the ongoing war against terrorism was not a conventional conflict.
Idris further alleged that a proscribed separatist organisation in Nigeria was collaborating with U.S.-based lobbyists to misinform American authorities.
“We are seeing a direct connection between some U.S. lobbyists and a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria. They have established lobby channels in the U.S., contacting high-level individuals to promote misinformation,” he stated.
While acknowledging past U.S. support in Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, Idris appealed for renewed collaboration to completely eradicate terrorism in the country.
“Yes, we have a security challenge in Nigeria. But in the past, the United States has helped our authorities to deal with it. We are calling on them to partner with us once again so that we can achieve lasting peace,” he added.
The minister expressed Nigeria’s surprise at the data and reports influencing Washington’s recent stance, arguing that many of the statistics being circulated “cannot stand scientific scrutiny.”
He reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a multi-faith nation where the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, emphasizing that ongoing conflicts in parts of the country are not rooted in religious persecution.
“Some of the assumptions are based on data that largely cannot stand any scientific scrutiny,” he said.
“We share the concerns of the international community about the killings, but we urge better understanding of Nigeria’s diversity and the complexity of the situation.”
Trump’s Threat
On November 2, President Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform, ordered the Pentagon to “map out a possible plan of attack in Nigeria,” following claims that Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in Africa’s most populous nation.
“If Nigeria does not stem the killings, the United States will attack — and it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians,” Trump wrote.
Two weeks later, he reiterated his stance aboard Air Force One, saying he was considering “a lot of things,” including possible troop deployment or airstrikes.
Trump’s remarks have since triggered strong reactions across political and diplomatic circles, prompting Nigeria’s diplomatic engagement with Washington to defuse tensions and correct perceived misinformation.
