Tinubu to meet with Donald Trump over the next few days to diffuse the tension over attack plans

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has arranged to meet up with his US counterpart Donald Trump over the coming days to clear the air over recent comments made about Washington planning to attack Nigeria in response to the ongoing genocide against Christians.

In what can only be described as an utterance based on misinformation, President Trump declared that he has asked his generals to draw up plans regarding how to attack Nigeria in response to the incessant attacks on Christians. No details were provided of exactly who will be attacked and how, as the comments attracted derision from virtually every quarter.

Nigeria is currently suffering from the effects of insecurity as Boko Haram, the Islamic State of the West African Province, armed bandits and kidnappers have turned large swathes of the north of the country into no-go areas. However, in all these areas, both Christians Muslims are affected by the reign of terror, as the authorities are overwhelmed by the scale of the problem.

In a bid to provide some clarity to the situation, the presidency in Abuja has announced that presidents Tinubu and Trump will be meeting soon over the coming days. Daniel Bwala, President Tinubu’s special adviser on policy communication, said the meeting will be centred around claims of a Christian genocide in Nigeria.

Mr Bwala said: “Both President Bola Tinubu and President Donald Trump have shared interest in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity. Both leaders share a strong commitment to tackling insurgency and terrorism."

President Trump had threatened military action against Nigeria to wipe out terrorists killing Christians in the country. He also warned that the US might cut off all aid and assistance to Nigeria.

Writing on X, Mr Bwala  noted that President Trump had previously supported Nigeria by approving arms sales, which the Tinubu administration has adequately utilised in its counter-terrorism efforts. Groups monitoring violence say there is no evidence to suggest that Christians are being killed more than Muslims in Nigeria, which is roughly evenly divided between followers of the two religions.

Mr Bwala, who said he was a Christian pastor, said President Trump had a unique way of communicating, adding that Nigeria was not taking his words literally and he hoped he would meet President Tinubu in the coming days to discuss the issue. Yesterday, President Trump wrote in a social media, saying that he had instructed the US Department of War to prepare for possible action in Nigeria.