Nigeria doesn’t need American boots on our soil – presidential adviser
Nigeria has dismissed the prospect of any unilateral US military intervention, insisting that foreign troops are not welcome on its territory, after President Donald Trump threatened action over alleged religious persecution.
In an exclusive interview with RT on Monday, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, urged Washington to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and instead provide support through equipment and intelligence sharing.
“We do not need the boots of American soldiers on our soil,” Bwala said. “There has to be respect for our territorial integrity.”
Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” on Saturday, warning of potential strikes to “protect” Christians. Bwala rejected the accusations, saying the claims of a “Christian genocide” were based on disinformation from separatist groups like the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“These narratives have been amplified since 2016 and are now influencing right-wing circles in the US,” he said. “There is no credible evidence Christians are being targeted more than others. Violence affects Muslims, Christians, and others alike.”
Bwala also referenced a past US congressional hearing in which a lawmaker questioned whether CIA funding had indirectly supported Boko Haram and other insurgent groups. “There have long been concerns about foreign interference,” he said, while emphasizing that Nigeria prefers to focus on solutions, not blame.
He acknowledged the country’s security challenges – including porous borders, a limited police force, and the scale of insurgent threats – but noted that progress had been made. “We have a limited number of military personnel, and fewer than 400,000 police officers for a population of 230 million,” he said. “So we are doing our best. If there’s any collaboration we need, it is in the areas of intelligence sharing.”
Bwala thanked Trump for approving arms sales during his first term, including Super Tucano aircraft, but criticized the operational restrictions tied to their use. He also downplayed Trump’s rhetoric and appealed for more constructive dialogue.
“President Trump, being a businessman, that has been his tactic and style of communication – and Nigeria has never been the exception,” he said. “That’s why, in Nigeria, we don’t take that word in its literal sense. We interpret it as a call to sit down and discuss how we can broaden the fight against insurgency. We are open to that conversation.”
