Retired Major General Henry Ayoola, a former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, has downplayed fears over U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy troops to Nigeria over alleged genocide against Christians, saying only “terrorist sympathisers” should be worried.
Speaking, Ayoola explained that the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) — established in 1998 under the International Religious Freedom Act — has long monitored countries for violations of religious rights. Nigeria, he said, has been listed as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) since 2009 due to ongoing attacks by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP.
He clarified that the CPC designation is not a declaration of war, citing Nigeria’s first inclusion in 2020 under Trump, which did not result in U.S. intervention. According to him, the designation simply signals that the U.S. views Nigeria’s government as not doing enough to curb religious violence.
Ayoola urged Nigerians to avoid divisive debates over whether Christians or Muslims are the main victims, insisting that all lives are equal. He criticised elites for turning serious security matters into emotional or sectarian arguments, adding that “no life should be lost in the first place.”
He concluded that Trump’s latest comments reflect frustration with Nigeria’s recurring religious violence rather than an imminent military action.
