United States President Donald Trump has sparked intense debate among Nigerian activists following his recent admission that Muslims, alongside Christians, are victims of terrorism in Nigeria.
In an interview published on Thursday, Trump acknowledged the widespread violence affecting both faiths but emphasized that U.S. airstrikes—such as the recent Christmas Day operation in Sokoto—would continue if attacks on Christian communities do not cease.
Okay News reports that the President’s comments have drawn sharp and contrasting reactions from former lawmaker Shehu Sani and activist Omoyele Sowore.
Shehu Sani hailed Trump’s statement as a “proper and objective assessment,” arguing that it dismantles the “genocide script” he believes was designed to manipulate the US into serving a hidden agenda. Writing on his verified X handle on Friday, Sani stated, “Being a Muslim doesn’t insulate you from the evil of terrorism. We must also free ourselves from the illusion that a foreign power will solve the problems we are supposed to solve ourselves.”
In a starkly different reaction, Omoyele Sowore dismissed Trump’s stance as the posturing of an “intoxicated Emperor” seeking resources rather than justice. Sowore described the “Christian genocide” narrative as a “calculated ruse” used to occupy emotional space. He criticized the U.S. President’s motives, stating, “He decides to invade… wherever his bread can best be buttered. He loves only himself and his account balance. Everything else is theatre.”
These sharply contrasting perspectives highlight the polarizing nature of United States’s involvement in Nigeria’s internal security crisis. While Sani views the acknowledgement of Muslim casualties as a step toward a more balanced narrative, Sowore’s warning highlights fears of imperial overreach, leaving the nation to weigh the cost of foreign intervention against the urgent need to end the bloodshed affecting citizens of all faiths.
