Nigeria’s growing diplomatic standoff with the United States over President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy military forces to Nigeria has sparked heated national debate.
While some Nigerians view the move as an affront to sovereignty, others see it as a long-overdue step toward ending years of bloodshed.
But for Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola (retd.), former Commander of Operation Safe Haven — the multi-agency task force combating insecurity in Plateau and surrounding states — the only people who should fear possible U.S. strikes are terrorist sympathisers.
According to Ayoola, the uproar over Trump’s warning reflects a lack of understanding of how U.S. foreign policy on religious freedom operates.
“Many people talking about this issue don’t even know that the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) exists,” he said.
He explained that the USCIRF, established in 1998, monitors global religious freedom violations and annually recommends countries — including Nigeria — for CPC status.
“Since 2009, when Boko Haram emerged, Nigeria has been consistently recommended as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’ We’ve been on that list every year.”
The CPC designation, Ayoola noted, does not automatically translate into military action.
“Being designated as a CPC doesn’t mean America will attack you,” he clarified. “This classification has existed since 2020 under Trump, and even when President Biden delisted us, the USCIRF protested.”
He urged Nigerians not to panic, describing the move as “a routine diplomatic classification” reflecting Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis.
Ayoola emphasised that the religious dimension of Nigeria’s conflict is often misunderstood.
“It’s not about whether only Christians or Muslims are being killed. Every life is sacred. The tragedy is that we’ve turned this into a sentimental argument.”
He urged Nigerians to unite in defending human dignity rather than politicizing religious identities.
‘Trump’s Order Is a Threat, Not an Attack’
Commenting on Trump’s reported order for the Pentagon to “prepare for possible action” in Nigeria, Ayoola said it merely reflects standard U.S. military readiness procedures.
“America cannot attack Nigeria on the grounds of a CPC designation. What we are seeing is deterrence, not aggression.”
‘Only Those with Something to Hide Should Fear Airstrikes’
Referencing The New York Times report on Pentagon contingency plans, Ayoola dismissed public panic.
“The only ones who should fear U.S. strikes are those who sympathise with terrorists,” he said.
“Those worried about America hitting insurgent camps should ask themselves whose side they are on.”
Ayoola noted that any U.S. military activity would require Nigeria’s consent, citing cooperation during the 2020 American hostage rescue mission.
“That mission was done with full Nigerian cooperation. Even under President Jonathan, private military contractors helped us fight Boko Haram.”
He acknowledged the risks of collateral damage but urged leaders to weigh them against the long-term goal of ending terrorism.
‘External Help Is Not Weakness’
“If we’ve been fighting terrorism for 16 years without success, why not accept help?” Ayoola asked. “Even America collaborates with allies. Cooperation doesn’t diminish sovereignty; it strengthens capacity.”
He highlighted the U.S.’s superior technology, such as satellite tracking, as key to achieving faster results.
Ayoola cautioned against viewing U.S. assistance as altruism.
“America is not Father Christmas. Every country acts in its own interest. What matters is ensuring Nigeria also gains.”
He criticised past governments for failing to convert foreign interventions into national advantage.
Responding to speculation that Washington might seek a military base in Nigeria, Ayoola urged pragmatic assessment.
“If external help can shorten this war, why not explore it? Let’s assess the risks and benefits dispassionately. Life is about trade-offs.”
Between Sovereignty and Survival
For Ayoola, Nigeria faces a defining choice between pride and pragmatism.
“The real enemies are not America or Trump. The real enemies are those killing innocent Nigerians every day,” he said. “Only terrorist sympathisers should fear U.S. strikes.”
●●● This report is drawn from an interview granted The SUNDAY PUNCH.
