Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to send American forces to Nigeria.
Soyinka spoke after meeting Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi on Friday.
The nonagenarian warned that Trump’s comments revealed a “pre-set mindset” and disregarded Nigeria’s complex security issues.
“You don’t just open your mouth and say, ‘I’m coming to help you whether you like it or not,” he said.
He pointed out that governments must protect their citizens but emphasized that victims deserve respect.
“At least respect those working on solutions to this unacceptable situation,” he added.
Trump declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” on October 31 over alleged killings of Christians. He posted this declaration on Truth Social, claiming Christianity faces an existential threat in Nigeria.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump wrote.
Bola Akinterinwa, a former Director General of Nigeria’s Institute of International Affairs, said President Bola Tinubu is more cautious than U.S. President Donald Trump.
He urged U.S. lawmakers to investigate and warned that action should follow.
Trump asked Congressman Riley Moore and Chairman Tom Cole to review the situation, insisting that the U.S. must protect Christian communities worldwide.
Earlier, Trump also threatened to send American forces into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” if attacks continued. Reports have surfaced of the U.S. military drafting contingency plans for possible intervention.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu dismissed Trump’s claim that Nigeria persecutes Christians and said Trump’s description “does not reflect our national reality.”
Tinubu noted ongoing engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders since 2023 aimed at improving security.
