A Nigerian academic suggests that the U.S. may exploit allegations of Christian targeting in Nigeria to access the country’s natural resources. He argues that President Trump’s statements regarding the situation misrepresent the facts and serve political agendas rather than addressing the complexities of violence in Nigeria.
A Nigerian academic at the University of Abuja, Umar Kari, believes that the United States may seek to exploit allegations of “targeting Christians” in Nigeria to gain access to the country’s natural resources.
Kari stated in an interview with a local source that President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding the situation in Nigeria represent a “distortion of facts.” He noted that Trump accused the Nigerian government at the end of October of ignoring what he termed the “killing of Christians” and hinted at the possibility of cutting aid to Abuja and using force against it in early November.
The Nigerian academic clarified that the violence in Nigeria does not represent a systematic act by the state and cannot be classified as genocide, emphasizing that this concept in international law applies only to cases where the state takes organized actions against a specific group, which is not the case in Nigeria.
Kari added that Trump’s statements are part of domestic political maneuvers aimed at garnering support from religious groups in the United States, explaining that Trump seeks to portray himself as a “defender of Christians,” but this is merely a political display serving his electoral agenda.
Economic Agendas
The academic pointed out that these statements may have potential economic implications, stating that the United States has previously intervened in countries like Libya, Iraq, and Syria under humanitarian pretenses, while the real motivations often relate to natural resources.
Kari affirmed that Nigeria, with its abundant natural wealth, could be a target for similar calculations.
Meanwhile, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized his country’s commitment to addressing its security challenges, expressing confidence that Nigeria will be able to “defeat terrorism despite difficulties” and will continue to strengthen its relationships with friendly nations.
Tinubu stated that Nigeria is working through dialogue and diplomacy with its international partners, asserting that the country “supports peace and will overcome problems through international cooperation.”
These statements come amid rising violence and attacks in several Nigerian regions, sometimes attributed to conflicts between farmers and herders, and at other times to ethnic and religious tensions or terrorist activities.
The Nigerian government insists that these attacks do not target Christians on a religious basis and that the victims include both Muslims and Christians.
Nigeria has faced significant challenges with violence, often attributed to a mix of ethnic, religious, and economic factors. The country is home to diverse communities, including Christians and Muslims, who have historically coexisted but have also experienced tensions. The U.S. has previously intervened in various countries under humanitarian pretenses, raising questions about underlying motives related to resource acquisition.
In recent years, Nigeria has seen an increase in violence, including clashes between farmers and herders, as well as terrorist activities. The Nigerian government maintains that these incidents are not solely religiously motivated and affect both Christian and Muslim.