Trump threats: Tinubu rallies foreign allies as North rejects Sharia ban

President Bola Tinubu Engages Diplomatically Over Trump’s Military Threats

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said his government was engaging with the world diplomatically following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened military action against terror groups in Nigeria over the alleged mass killing of Christians.

This was a coalition of northern elders that rejected calls by some U.S. right-wing lawmakers to ban Sharia law in the country.

Speaking at the Federal Executive Council meeting shortly after swearing in two new ministers, Dr Bernard Doro and Dr Kingsley Udeh (SAN), Tinubu urged Nigerians not to succumb to despair, promising that the government will defeat every form of terrorism and secure every part of the country.

“We assure all of you that we will defeat terrorism in this country,” Tinubu said at Thursday’s meeting held at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, the first since July.

“The task ahead is immense, but it is our resolve to move forward with unity and purpose, guided by the Renewed Hope Agenda to build a prosperous, inclusive and resilient Nigeria,” he further stated.

Tinubu’s remarks come just days after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action against terror groups in Nigeria over the alleged mass killing of Christians.

Trump, in a post on his social media platform on Friday, announced that he was labelling Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern.”

Hours later, he said he had instructed congressional Republicans to “immediately look into this matter” and report back to him.

On Saturday, Trump said he had ordered the U.S. Department of War to “prepare for possible action” in Nigeria over the country’s alleged killing of Christians.

Speaking on Thursday, Tinubu called Ministers and other officials to ensure consistency in communication and avoid discordant messaging.

Nigeria Calm, Not in Panic Mode—FG

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who addressed State House correspondents after the Council meeting, said the Federal Government was calm and would not panic over Trump’s threats.

Idris said the government had opened formal diplomatic channels with the U.S. to address the matter.

He also clarified that Nigeria is responding responsibly and strategically, in line with its constitutional obligation to protect all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity.

“But there is no panic mode here. We are responding responsibly, steadily, and in the interest of our country, also taking into account the concerns both from within and outside this country of what the situation in this,” Idris told journalists at the Aso Rock Villa.

Responding to whether the U.S. position is affecting governance at home, the Information Minister said discussions have commenced with American officials through appropriate diplomatic channels.

He insisted that Nigeria prefers a diplomatic resolution rather than escalating rhetoric.

“Have we had any discussions with the U.S.? Yes. Channels have been opened. We prefer that this situation be solved diplomatically,” he said.

“Let me say that the government of Nigeria is really very stable.

“The President is calm. Like we have said, he’s calm. The Federal Executive Council members are indeed very calm.

“That is not to discountenance the issue. We are not saying that,” he noted.

Idris insisted the Tinubu administration is not indifferent to the challenges.

“Are there security issues in the country? Yes. Are lives being lost? Yes. But is the government responding? Absolutely,” he said, adding, “We are confronting these problems with responsibility and balance.”

The Minister reiterated that Nigeria remains a pluralistic society where freedom of religion is constitutionally protected.

“But let me say for the umpteenth time, Nigeria is a country that has tolerance for religion. So whatever you practice, whatever is your faith, our Constitution guarantees that you are free to practice that. The Nigerian government will continue to impress on the security agencies to maintain law and order wherever they are. We’re also going to do more so that whatever concerns there are, the government of Nigeria will take care of those concerns,” he said.

The Tinubu administration, he said, remains open to partnerships with the international community and regional actors in tackling terrorism and extremist violence, which he noted are not unique to Nigeria.

Northern Groups Reject Trump’s Sanctions Over Sharia Laws

In the wake of Donald Trump’s public threats, several U.S. lawmakers and rights groups stepped up calls for tougher action, including a push to eliminate the legal regime of Sharia law in parts of northern Nigeria.

For example, U.S. lawmaker Ted Cruz, in September, introduced the “Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025”, arguing that Nigerian officials who enforce or support Sharia and blasphemy laws should face sanctions and that Nigeria must be treated as a “country of particular concern.”

Beyond Congress, U.S.-based human-rights organisations such as Alliance Defending Freedom and Advancing American Freedom filed petitions urging the U.S. State Department to designate Nigeria for severe religious-freedom abuses, citing reports that “12 state governments enforce Sharia law, including blasphemy laws” in the country. Other groups also called for sanctions on Nigerian government officials and governors of the 12 northern states.

As of 2025, 12 northern states have officially implemented Sharia law to varying degrees. They are Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa and Borno. Others are Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe, while Kaduna and Niger have only partially enforced the laws.

While commending Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”, Cruz urged the White House to sanction the state governments and officers to incentivise them to stop the “mass murder” occurring in Nigeria.

The sanctions may include travel visa bans, asset freezes, and financial and other intergovernmental restrictions between the U.S. and Nigeria.

However, the Northern Elders Forum and the Coalition of Northern Groups have kicked against the move, describing it as “a direct assault on Islam.”

They insisted that the northern states will not yield to pressure from the United States Government or President Donald Trump.

First adopted by Zamfara State, under Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima, the Sharia Law, otherwise referred to as Islamic Law, is a legal system derived from the Qur’an, the Hadith (sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad), and Islamic jurisprudence.

While previously mostly covering personal conduct like marriage, inheritance, and moral behaviour, Sharia has been expanded to cover criminal justice, and in some cases, serving as the penal code for northern states.

NEF Spokesperson, Prof Abubakar Jiddere, said the threatened sanctions were “empty threats”, describing President Trump’s comments on the alleged mass killing of Christians in Nigeria as “arrogance.”

“The Northern Elders Forum has frowned, seriously frowned at this threat, which to me, as far as I’m concerned, is an empty threat. Because even in the U.S., it has not gone through the normal process. It’s just Trump’s personal arrogance that he made this statement,” he told our correspondent in a phone call on Thursday.

He added that there was no genocide in the north, as far as the Forum was concerned, noting that “both Christians and Muslims are facing the same challenge.”

Jiddere further alleged a hidden agenda by the American government, stating that Nigeria’s renewed business dealings with the Chinese made the U.S. “uncomfortable”, prompting the use of force.

Respect Nigeria’s Sovereignty, South-West Islamic Clerics Urge U.S.

Islamic clerics from the South-West zone under the aegis of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, on Thursday, advised the U.S. and international bodies to avoid any form of external interference that could undermine internal peace efforts in Nigeria.

In a communiqué read by Grand Mufti of Yorubaland, Sheikh AbdulRasaq Ishola, the clerics, after a meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, appealed to Trump to “respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.”

“Nigeria’s Sovereignty must be respected: We urge all international bodies and world leaders, particularly the USA, to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and avoid hasty generalisations or external interference that could undermine our internal peace efforts,” they maintained.

The meeting was attended by several notable Islamic scholars across the South-West region.

Evangelical Fellowship Urges FG to Disarm Terrorists, Ensure Justice

The Nigeria Evangelical Fellowship has called on the Federal Government to decisively disarm terrorists, end killings, and protect religious freedom across the country.

In a communiqué issued after its 60th Anniversary Summit, the group warned against the growing threat of terrorism and demanded swift government action to restore stability and justice.

The group dismissed foreign claims of Christian genocide, insisting that violence in Nigeria is not faith-based but driven by terrorism and poor governance. It urged the government to ensure safe returns for displaced communities, protect vulnerable citizens, and address root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, and exclusion.

CSOs Protest Trump’s Threats

Civil society groups under the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda staged a protest at the Lagos Assembly against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of military action over alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.

The protesters submitted a petition urging the U.S. Congress to reject what they called “a reckless threat” and review Nigeria’s CPC (Country of Particular Concern) designation.

Convener Buna Isiak stated, “We are a sovereign nation, not Gaza,” and warned that such rhetoric could worsen investor confidence and destabilise Nigeria’s economy.

Ex-W’Bank Adviser Faults Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Strategy

Former World Bank economic adviser, Dr Mahmoud Alfa, warned that Nigeria risks long-term disadvantages in global negotiations due to its lack of strategic economic diplomacy. He proposed creating a Political Economy Coordinating Unit in the Presidency to align economic, foreign, and security policies.

Nigeria Needs Policy Shift from Politics to Governance—Advocacy Group

The Director-General of Good Governance and Advocacy International, Leonard Anyogo, has called for a radical policy shift from political posturing to actual governance in Nigeria.

He urged the Federal Government to focus on impact-driven development rather than political showmanship.

China Reaffirms Support for Nigeria

China has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria in its ongoing battle against terrorism and in maintaining internal stability.

Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai said China firmly supports Nigeria’s sovereignty and opposes any foreign interference under the pretext of religion or human rights.

Congress Hails Trump for CPC Label

Thirty-one U.S. Congress members have commended Donald Trump for designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” urging stronger sanctions against religious persecution.

FG Begins Overhaul of Police Training Colleges, Security Institutions

The Federal Government has commenced a nationwide overhaul of police training colleges and security institutions to restore professionalism, integrity, and efficiency within Nigeria’s security architecture.

NAF Chief Vows to Protect Civilians, Avoid Collateral Damage

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, assured Nigerians that the Air Force will prioritise operational efficiency while preventing collateral damage during counter-terrorism operations.

Army Chief Promises New Commanders, Improved Troops’ Welfare

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, pledged sweeping reforms to enhance troop welfare and ensure justice across the ranks.

DSS Holds Northern Zonal Security Meeting

Directors of the Department of State Services across Nigeria’s North-West met in Kaduna to devise new intelligence strategies against banditry and kidnapping.

ECOWAS, Islamic Leaders Tackle Terrorism at Regional Security Summit

Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, and ECOWAS leaders jointly called for non-violent strategies to fight terrorism in West Africa, emphasising peacebuilding, education, and youth engagement.