From US threats to holding hands': Did Nigeria disarm Trump on security?

"In early November, a social media post by United States President Donald Trump set off alarm bells across Nigeria. The US Department of War, he said, was preparing to go into the West African country guns-a-blazing over what he claimed was the killing of Christians in Nigeria. Nigeria's government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu swiftly hit back, rejecting the claims, saying that while the country faced a challenging security situation due to armed groups and banditry."

"But the Trump administration was not appeased. It had placed Nigeria on its Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) watchlist for religious freedom, and soon made threats of sanctions, cuts to financial aid, and punitive measures against Abuja for failing to protect Christians. As Nigerians worried about a potential bombing campaign against their nation, the Tinubu government though still denying accusations of a Christian genocide quietly pivoted."

"Weeks later, on the night of December 25, the US launched what Trump described as powerful and deadly strikes in northwest Nigeria but the US military's Africa Command (AFRICOM) made clear the attacks were carried out at the request of Nigerian authorities. That cooperation between the US and Nigeria only appears to have grown, culminating this week in 100 US military personnel arriving in the country to help train Nigerian soldiers in the fight against armed groups."

Nigeria faced a diplomatic row after a social media post by US President Donald Trump claimed Christians were being killed and suggested US military intervention. Nigerian authorities denied targeted attacks against Christians, noting Muslims and traditional believers were also victimized, but the United States placed Nigeria on its Countries of Particular Concern watchlist and threatened sanctions and aid cuts. The Tinubu government welcomed US security help. AFRICOM conducted strikes on December 25 at Nigeria's request, and cooperation expanded with about 100 US military personnel arriving to train Nigerian troops and provide technical support against armed groups.

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