The national caucus of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, did not only reject President Trump’s military action threat but also asked Nigerians to unite against such an action.
The SMBLF, explained that President Donald Trump’s threat to unleash the military might of the United States of America on Nigeria to stop the killing of Christians should be considered a wake-up call to Nigeria’s leadership.
A communique issued after the forum’s meeting, jointly signed by HRM Oba Oladipo Olaitan (Leader, Afenifere), Dr. Bitrus Pogu, (President, Middle Belt Forum), Senator John Azuta-Mbata (President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide) and Ambassador Godknows Igali (National Chairman, PANDEF), read: “On the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, the SMBLF notes with very serious concern the designation by the US President Donald Trump of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious persecution against Christians.
“The SMBLF affirms its opposition to any unsolicited foreign military intervention in Nigeria over any matter.
“However, we consider the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern a wake-up call to the Federal Government to pursue with a sense of urgency and responsibility, a halt to ongoing mayhem and killings.
“Furthermore, face the issues on ground in disarming and prosecuting known militias and killer herdsmen and Islamist terrorists responsible for this, and restore occupied lands to rightful owners of all faiths and ethnic nationalities, especially in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, Gombe, Southern Bornu, Southern Kebbi and the rest of the country.”
The SMBLF acknowledged the recent reshuffling of the service chiefs, and welcomed the appointment of new ones.
It however, urged the President to extend this reform to the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, the Minister of Defence, and the Minister of State for Defence “all of whom are currently from one section of the country.”
Nigeria needs partnership, not military invasion to defeat terrorism, NCPC boss, Bishop Adegbite cautions
On its part, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC, said Nigeria needs help, not threat of invasion from the United States to tackle terrorism and make Nigeria safer for all, irrespective of religious faith.
Executive Secretary of the commission, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, who said this at a briefing in Abuja yesterday, also clarified that the current security challenge facing Nigeria affects both Christians and Muslims and is not targeted at any particular religion.
Drawing data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, ACLED, and the Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa, ORFA, Bishop Adegbite revealed that between 2020 and 2025, over 20,000 civilians lost their lives in various conflicts across the country, including Christians and Muslims.
“The government has never sanctioned violence against any faith group. What Nigeria needs from the international community is partnership, intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism training, and humanitarian aid, not threats of military invasion.
