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Outspoken public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has said there is growing fear and tension across Northern Nigeria following United States President Donald Trump’s recent threat to launch military action against Islamic terrorists in Nigeria.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Shehu said the fear is especially among Muslims in the North, who see Trump’s words as reckless, biased and targeted.
“There is palpable fear, anxiety and apprehension in the North, particularly among Muslims, over Trump’s reckless, biased and targeted intention to attack ‘Islamic terrorists’ in Nigeria,” he said.
Shehu explained that many Christians have openly embraced Trump’s comments because they believe his narrative of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, a claim he described as one-sided and misleading.
“It is a pity that Christians are celebrating and eager for Trump’s attack, forgetting that when the attack begins, only God can count the corpses of both innocent Christians and Muslims,” he warned.
He argued that if Trump carries out the attack, the consequences would spiral beyond control.
“When Trump eventually strikes, which he will, nobody will be able to control the chaos, confusion and backlash that will follow,” he said.
Shehu also criticised some religious figures who, in his view, are benefitting from amplifying Trump’s Christian genocide message.
“Those parading as religious leaders and benefiting financially from this narrative should remember that Nigeria is not Somalia, Sudan, Bosnia or Nicaragua. Nigerians will not fold their arms and watch Trump destroy it and create 200 million refugees,” he added.
He further claimed that many Muslims in Nigeria and around the world see Trump’s threat as part of a long-standing pattern in U.S. policy.
“Rightly or wrongly, many Muslims believe Trump’s war-mongering in Nigeria has a hidden motive and is an extension of his hate for Islam and Muslims,” he said.
Shehu insisted that religion is not something people choose like a product from a store, and warned Trump against provoking a wider global crisis.
“No Muslim went to a market to buy Islam, just as no Christian bought Christianity. It is hereditary. Trump is pushing his luck too far,” he said.
“He thinks once he attacks Nigeria, African and global Muslim populations will submit. Far from it. He would open a new chapter of global clash whose dimensions can only be imagined.”
He urged Nigerians to remain calm, prayerful and focused.
“Nigerians of good conscience should remain in ardent prayers but must not lose their bearing because of the irritating Trump,” he said.
Shehu ended with Quranic verses reminding Muslims to rely on God in moments of fear and uncertainty:
Qur’an 64:11: “No calamity befalls anyone except by Allah’s will… And Allah has perfect knowledge of all things.”
The Country Director of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC), Bokaji Adamu, has warned that Donald Trump’s threat against Nigeria could backfire and worsen insecurity across the Lake Chad region if not carefully handled.
Speaking in an exclusive interview DAILY POST, Adamu who is also a Retired Army Captain described Trump’s comments about a possible U.S. invasion of Nigeria as more of a political and pressure tactic than a genuine military plan.
He said a full-scale invasion of Nigeria was highly unlikely, explaining that such a move would attract serious political, legal, and regional backlash from organizations like the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), and the United Nations.
“A full invasion is very unlikely. Launching a direct U.S. invasion of Nigeria will trigger strong opposition from ECOWAS, the AU, the U.S. Congress, and the international community,” Adamu said.
He, however, noted that while an invasion was not realistic, limited military actions such as airstrikes, the deployment of special forces, or the suspension of U.S. aid and security cooperation were possible.
“There is a realistic possibility of targeted airstrikes against Boko Haram or ISWAP hideouts, or even a temporary suspension of military assistance and funding to Nigeria,” he added.
Adamu warned that such actions could disrupt Nigeria’s counterterrorism cooperation with the United States, which has played an important role in intelligence sharing and technical support.
“If the United States acts unilaterally, it could weaken intelligence sharing and military collaboration,” he said. “Nigeria may react defensively, citing national pride and sovereignty.”
He further explained that any foreign military intervention could cause nationalist sentiments among Nigerians, making both the government and citizens more resistant to external involvement in security matters.
Adamu also cautioned that uncoordinated foreign strikes might lead to civilian casualties, which could fuel anger against both the Nigerian government and the U.S., while helping extremist groups to recruit new members.
“Uncoordinated foreign attacks may kill innocent civilians. That could turn local populations against the Nigerian government and the United States, and even help insurgents gain sympathy and new recruits,” he said.
According to him, while U.S. airstrikes could weaken Boko Haram and ISWAP temporarily, the long-term effect might be the opposite.
“These groups have strong local networks and years of experience. They could use any U.S. attack as propaganda, claiming that Islam is under attack by the West. This narrative will attract more recruits and increase radicalization,” Adamu explained.
He also warned that if pressure increases in Nigeria’s northeast, insurgents could flee into neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon, and Chad, spreading violence across the Lake Chad Basin region.
On what Nigeria should do in response, Adamu advised the federal government to insist on legal and transparent cooperation with any foreign partner.
“Any external military activity musmilitary activity must follow international law and be coordinated through the African Union and the United Nations,” he said.
He urged the government to protect humanitarian and development aid, warning that cutting off such support would worsen poverty and unemployment, conditions that already feed terrorism.
Adamu also advised clear communication with the public to prevent panic and the spread of misinformation by extremist groups.
“The government should communicate openly with citizens to avoid panic and to stop extremists from twisting the situation to their advantage,” he said.
He further stressed that civilian protection must remain a top priority in any security operation.
“Every operation must be designed to safeguard civilians. When innocent lives are lost, it undermines public trust and strengthens extremists,” Adamu said.
In conclusion, the human rights advocate noted that Trump’s military threat was politically strong but militarily unrealistic.
“Trump’s statement is political posturing. It may lead to limited U.S. actions or aid cuts that could disrupt counterterrorism temporarily, but it will not end the crisis,” Adamu warned.
“If poorly managed, it could worsen Nigeria’s security and humanitarian situation, and even threaten regional stability.”
Halima Yusuf, a resident of Kano, expressed concern that Trump’s makes it seem as though Muslims are being singled out as the problem. She said people could be harmed based on wrong assumptions. She added that the situation risks causing unnecessary tension between Christians and Muslims.
“Many people are already anxious because they are unsure whether Trump will carry out his threat,” she said.
