Presidential Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has firmly stated that the United States lacks any legal or diplomatic basis to deploy troops or conduct military operations in Nigeria without the explicit approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that any such move would constitute a grave breach of Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Speaking in a BBC interview on Monday, Bwala responded directly to recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested American military intervention if Nigeria fails to curb alleged targeted killings of Christians.
“Nigeria is a sovereign nation,” Bwala declared. “Any form of military operation on Nigerian soil without the consent of the Federal Government is unacceptable and would amount to an infringement on our territorial integrity.”
He rejected the framing of Nigeria’s security challenges as a religious conflict, emphasizing that banditry, terrorism and communal clashes affect citizens across faith lines.
“What we are dealing with is a national security challenge that affects everyone – Muslims, Christians and others,” he said. “It should not be framed solely as a religious war.”
Bwala underscored Nigeria’s willingness to deepen security cooperation with Washington through intelligence sharing and arms procurement, provided such partnership respects international law and Nigeria’s national interest.
Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom and his threats of potential ground operations or airstrikes have sparked widespread concern in Abuja.
The presidential aide reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity and protecting all Nigerians, while preserving mutual respect in bilateral relations with the United States.
Diplomatic sources say Abuja is quietly engaging Washington through back channels to de-escalate tensions and clarify the non-sectarian nature of the country’s security threats.
As the 2027 elections approach, the controversy risks complicating Nigeria-U.S. ties at a time when Abuja seeks enhanced military support against insurgency and banditry.
