The government of Russia yesterday said it was closely watching reports that the United States may be considering military action in Nigeria.
Likewise, the African Union (AU) Commission stressed that the US must respect the sovereignty of Nigeria and engage in diplomatic dialogue in addressing the problem of insecurity in the West African country.
This comes as President Bola Tinubu intensifies efforts to rally international support in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, was quoted by TRT World to have said this during a weekly press briefing in Moscow, urging Washington to act in line with international law.
“We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms,” Zakharova said while responding to a question about the situation in the African country.
Also, Tinubu called Nigeria’s international allies to strengthen collaboration in the global fight against terrorism and violent extremism. He said renewed support and intelligence sharing are crucial to defeating the networks threatening peace and stability across Africa.
The President, who made the appeal via his verified X handle, @official ABAT, reaffirmed Nigeria as a reliable partner, welcoming international support to strengthen security and economic growth.
Tinubu yesterday, met with the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’adu Abubakar, at the State House, Abuja.
The meeting, which took place on the first-floor office of the President, was said to be part of wide consultations Tinubu was having with religious and traditional leaders in the wake of the United States President, Donald Trump, describing Nigeria as a country of religious persecution and human rights abuses.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, accompanied the Sultan to the ‘crucial’ meeting.
President Tinubu had earlier this week met with the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Bishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama.
However, yesterday, the President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale Oke, argued that there was no denying the fact that there was Christian genocide going on in Nigeria, calling on Tinubu to partner with Trump in tackling what he described as the scourge of killings and attacks on Christian communities in the country.
Veteran journalist and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, also urged Tinubu to mobilise Nigerians with international credibility to engage directly with Donald Trump.
But a think tank group, the Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI), held a different opinion, saying claims of Trump about Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), were on the basis of jaundiced, obtrusive data provided by local and international groups with ulterior motives.
AU to US: Respect Nigeria’s Sovereignty
The AU Commission, in a statement yesterday, stated that it had noted with concern recent statements by the United States of America alleging that the Government of Nigeria was complicit in the targeted killing of Christians and threatening military action.
The commission acknowledged the complex security challenges facing Nigeria and called for enhanced regional and international cooperation to support Nigeria and other nations in strengthening their capacity to address insecurity.
But the commission rejected narratives that oversimplify the challenges by attributing violence solely to religious motives, warning that such perspectives could destabilise communities and hinder effective solutions.
It urged external partners, including the US, to prioritise diplomatic engagement, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building initiatives over unilateral military threats.
“The commission notes with concern recent statements by the United States of America alleging that the Government of Nigeria is complicit in the targeted killing of Christians and threatening military action,” the statement reads.
“The AUC emphasises the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a longstanding and valued Member State of the African Union, playing a key role in regional stability, counterterrorism, peacekeeping initiatives, and continental integration.
“The AUC fully respects Nigeria’s sovereign right to manage its internal affairs, including security, religious freedom, and human rights, in line with its Constitution and international obligations. Any external engagement must respect Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity.
“AUC urges external partners, including the United States, to engage Nigeria through diplomatic dialogue, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building partnerships, while respecting Nigerian sovereignty rather than resorting to unilateral threats of military intervention, which could undermine continental peace, regional stability, and AU norms for peaceful conflict management.”
Tinubu Seeks International Allies’ Support Against Terrorism
Continuing, Tinubu stressed that security remains non-negotiable and pledged that Nigeria would spare no effort and leave no stone unturned in eliminating criminals and terrorist groups.
According to him, Nigeria has faced the terrorism problem for nearly two decades, but would not back down. He noted that significant progress had been made over the past two years.
He promised to decisively eliminate the threat through courage and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law.
The President also paid tribute to the armed forces and intelligence services for their courage, unity, and sacrifices, describing their commitment as the nation’s strength.
Tinubu added: “We face challenges head-on and remain steadfast in our commitment to engage partners and champion Nigeria’s interests on the diplomatic front. We are confidently asserting our presence on the global stage, guided by unwavering calm, clarity, and a strong sense of purpose.
“We are indeed faced with terrorism – a challenge Nigeria has faced for almost two decades, and we will not back down. We will decisively defeat terrorism and claim victory in this battle. Security is non-negotiable, and we will never compromise on this principle. With unwavering courage and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, we will prevail.
“Nigeria is one united family. We rise together, move forward together, and reject despair in favour of determination. Our future is far more robust and stronger than any fears we may have.
“The task ahead is immense, yet our resolve is even greater. We will continue to sustain and build on our reform gains and deliver a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.
“We will spare no effort and leave no stone unturned in our mission to eliminate criminals from our society. We urge our allies to stand firmly with us as we amplify our fight against terrorism. We have made significant progress in the past two years and we will decisively eliminate this threat. With courage and the rule of law, we will triumph.”
