Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, has said that it would be diplomatically inappropriate for the United States to launch any military operation in Nigeria without the consent of Federal Government.
Gatekeepers News reports that in an interview with the BBC World Service, Bwala emphasised that Nigeria is a sovereign nation, noting that any foreign intervention on security matters must be carried out through mutual collaboration.
His remarks came after US President Donald Trump recently designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC) over alleged persecution of Christians.
Trump had also warned the Nigerian government to move fast or risk losing US aid, further threatening to deploy the Department of War against terrorist groups targeting Christians in the country.
Reacting, Bwala said there was a misunderstanding surrounding Trump’s statements, expressing optimism that the issue would be clarified when President Tinubu meets with the US leader.
He acknowledged Trump’s previous support for Nigeria during his first term, recalling that he had authorised the sale of arms to aid the fight against insurgency.
Bwala praised Trump’s renewed interest in combating Boko Haram but maintained that such efforts should rely on verified data rather than isolated reports or social media narratives.
He noted that there is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria, but there is insecurity affecting people of all faiths, including Christians
Bwala stressed that while Nigeria appreciates US cooperation in security matters, any military operation must be a joint effort.
He said, “If it is a joint action with the Nigerian government, that is fine because Nigeria is a territorial and sovereign country.”
“It is not diplomatically right to invade a nation without its collaboration, especially when that nation is your partner in the fight against insecurity.”
Beala added that such unilateral intervention would only be justified if intelligence revealed that the government itself was fuelling the conflict.
