*FG Repeatedly Dismisses Claim
*Defence Minister-designate Gen Chris Musa Undergoes Senate Screening
“The ongoing slaughter of innocent Christians by Muslim terrorists in Nigeria is appalling. The Nigerian government’s silence is deafening.”
These are the words of United States (US) lawmaker, Rep. Randy Fine, today as he joined a growing list of American lawmakers who support a legislative resolution demanding tougher US action as response to rising religious-related terrorism in Nigeria.
The Federal Government (FG) has repeatedly,through President Bola Tinubu, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Foreign Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, and others denied the claim.
In a post on X today, Rep. Fine, who represents Florida’s 6th Congressional District, expressed alarm over unceasing attacks by extremist,armed militias in Nigeria, especially communities with high or even predominant Christian populace.
To him, the Nigerian authorities were still not doing enough to eradicate the attacks.
Declaring that he has signed onto a resolution sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith that seeks to codify a U.S. Executive Order designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over religious freedom violations, the lawmaker accused the FG of complicity in the worsening insecurity in Nigeria.
He wrote: “Their complicity in the genocide of thousands of Christians must stop, and we must take action to fully condemn this now.”
He alleged that failure by the FG to adequately protect vulnerable communities, contributed to deteriorating security conditions and vowed sanctions on perpetrators.
Trump Threatens Nigeria’s Leaders
In a series of posts on his Truth Social, beginning 31 October this year, Trump had warned of severe US actions on the FG, any of its officials and their non-state allies involved in any way in sponsoring, aiding or abetting Islamic extremist groups to massacre Christians.
He also threatened to cut off sensitive defence and other aid to the country on account of this.
In the post, the US President wrote: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’
“But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, are slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!
“I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter and report back to me.”
Later, Trump posted: ”I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action.
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!”
On social media, several Nigerians, particularly Christians, desired an immediate Trump action to end the killings -a seeming loss of faith in the ability of local authorities to find solutions to the killings.
FG’s Response To Pressure: Badaru Goes
In apparent response to both international and local pressure, President Bola Tinubu’s government last Monday announced the resignation of Defence Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, from the cabinet “on health grounds.”
But activist and muck-raking newspaper publisher, Omoyele Sowore, revealed that Badaru was sacked by the President over the roiling insecurity matter.
Defence Minister-designate, Chris Musa, Undergoes Senate Screening Today
In his stead, Tinubu appointed recently retired Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, a Christian from Southern Kaduna, as Defence Minister-designate and forwarded his name to Senate for screening and confirmation –a process that was ongoing today as of press time.
He is expected to be eventually cleared to officially resume in office immediately, despite some senators today rejecting the usual ‘take a bow and go’ style.
Further Pressure On Tinubu To Sack Matawalle
Nonetheless, reports emerged that the US equally wants the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, sacked alongside Badaru.
Matawalle was accused by some groups and individuals in Nigeria of cozying up to bandits when he served as Governor of crises-ridden Zamfara State, a hotbed of insecurity. He has since denied the claim.
Nigeria has faced years of violence linked to armed groups, including Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and various militia factions.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Rep Fine.
