Trump’s comment could endanger Christians in Nigeria
By: Zagazola Makama
Comments credited to former U.S. President Donald Trump could endanger Christians in Nigeria by emboldening terrorist groups to carry out targeted attacks under the guise of religious persecution.
Trump’s remarks, which allegedly portrayed Nigerian Christians as victims of systematic violence, could trigger insurgent and extremist groups as a justification to intensify assaults on Christian communities, in order to aggravate sectarian tensions in Nigeria.
Such statements, coming from a high-profile global figure, might “embolden terrorists to seize the opportunity to further divide Nigerians along religious lines. It also risk undoing years of interfaith peacebuilding and counter-extremism efforts.
Trump’s statement, though seemingly sympathetic, could inadvertently place Christians in greater danger. Terrorist elements may take advantage and interpret it as international endorsement of a religious narrative, prompting retaliatory or attention-seeking attacks aimed at global visibility.
At this point, leaders and commentators must exercise caution in their public statements about Nigeria’s internal security situation. politically charged or religiously sensitive rhetoric could have severe implications on the ground.
Nigeria has over the years grappled with violent extremism, including attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, who have often exploited religious narratives to justify their crimes against both Muslims and Christians.
