Former Kano State governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the United States government to assist Nigeria with advanced technology to combat insecurity rather than designating the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.”
In a statement on Sunday, Kwankwaso reacted to President Donald Trump’s recent announcement placing Nigeria on the U.S. watchlist for alleged religious persecution.
He reminded Washington that Nigeria is a sovereign nation facing diverse security threats from bandits, insurgents, and criminals without religious or ethnic bias.
“The insecurity we face does not discriminate based on religion, ethnicity, or politics,” he said. “The U.S. should assist Nigeria with cutting-edge technology to address these challenges rather than make designations that could further divide us.”
Kwankwaso also urged the Nigerian government to appoint special envoys and ambassadors to engage diplomatically with the U.S. and other global partners to protect Nigeria’s interests.
“To my fellow Nigerians, this is a time to prioritise unity over division. God bless Nigeria,” he added.
His remarks came after U.S. Secretary for War, Pete Hegseth, said the U.S. military was “preparing for possible action” in Nigeria following Trump’s warnings that America could intervene if killings of Christians continued.
Trump had earlier stated that Nigeria’s redesignation as a “Country of Particular Concern” was in response to what he described as “genocide against Christians,” alleging that “radical Islamists” were responsible for widespread killings.
The Nigerian government has since dismissed the allegations, insisting that there is no ongoing Christian genocide in the country and that the constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens.
