Nigeria’s government on Wednesday blamed a spate of renewed terror attacks — including the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and an assault on worshippers in Kwara State — on recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying the remarks had emboldened violent groups.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, said Trump’s posts alleging a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria and warning of a possible U.S. military deployment had “inadvertently encouraged opportunistic groups” seeking international attention.
“Recent pronouncements from the United States have inadvertently emboldened opportunistic violent groups seeking to exploit international narratives and make bold statements by attacking soft targets,” Akume told reporters in Abuja.
He said insurgent networks had been significantly weakened before the statements, with extremist activity reduced largely to isolated banditry. The recent attacks, he added, highlight the need for “collaboration, not public labelling,” between Washington and Abuja.
Trump, in a series of posts on X between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and threatened to deploy U.S. troops if alleged killings of Christians continued. He also said he had instructed the “Department of War” to prepare for possible action and warned that U.S. assistance to Nigeria could be suspended.
Akume said some violent groups were now attempting to leverage those remarks to gain visibility. He rejected Trump’s claims, saying available evidence shows insurgents have attacked both churches and mosques, killing Muslims and Christians.
“Nigeria is a secular state … No state religion is adopted as a national religion, and no citizen is above the constitution,” he said. He added that government appointments reflect national diversity, including within the Federal Executive Council and the national security structure.
Akume reiterated that Nigeria would not accept foreign troops on its soil, insisting that the country’s armed forces remain capable of confronting Boko Haram, ISWAP and other extremist groups.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces are highly capable, experienced and professional. They have reclaimed vast territories and degraded Boko Haram/ISWAP leadership structures,” he said. What Nigeria needs, he added, is targeted support from partners — particularly the United States — in intelligence, technology and military equipment.
He said the government remains committed to protecting all citizens and strengthening cooperation with international partners “to dismantle extremist and criminal networks.”
