Ijaw Congress to Trump: Respect Nigeria’s Sovereignty, Not Our Soil for Your Troops

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has cautioned former United States President Donald Trump to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty following his recent threat to deploy American special forces to protect Christians in northern Nigeria.

Trump had reportedly vowed to send U.S. troops to Nigeria to “wipe out Islamist terrorists” and defend Christians from persecution, sparking heated debate within and outside the country over foreign interference and national sovereignty.

Reacting to the development, President of the INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, said while Nigerians appreciate international concern over security challenges, any form of foreign military intervention must be rejected.

“As President of the Ijaw National Congress, I align with the general sentiment of Nigerians who reject foreign intervention and uphold national sovereignty,” Okaba said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

He urged the Federal Government to use the renewed global attention on Nigeria as an opportunity to strengthen internal security and protect the lives and property of citizens, regardless of religion or political leaning.

“The Federal Government should take this window of international focus to address insecurity comprehensively, ensuring that every Nigerian, Christian or Muslim, feels safe within our borders,” Okaba said.

The INC leader also called for diplomatic dialogue between Abuja and Washington to prevent what he described as an “avoidable diplomatic standoff.”

“Given the context, I emphasize the importance of dialogue and cooperation while ensuring the protection of Nigeria’s interests and territorial integrity. The Nigerian government has already expressed willingness to work with the U.S. in combating terrorism, provided it respects our sovereignty,” he added.

Trump’s statement, which surfaced on Sunday, has drawn widespread reactions, with many Nigerians cautioning against any unilateral move by the U.S. to deploy troops within the country’s borders.