OPINION: “Trump’s Message Was Against Terrorism, Not Islam” – Ifeanyi Okali

I have carefully followed the controversy trailing Donald Trump’s recent statement on Nigeria, and I must say, I have not seen anywhere he said he was coming to fight Muslims or overthrow the Nigerian government. His words were simple and unambiguous: he spoke against terrorists.

Unfortunately, some individuals have chosen to twist his message to fit a false narrative. In my opinion, anyone interpreting Trump’s remarks as anti-Islam is indirectly giving cover to the same Fulani militias that have unleashed pain, bloodshed, and displacement across many parts of the Middle Belt.

Trump’s concern was clear that Nigeria must act swiftly to stop terrorists from wiping out another village. That, to me, is a reasonable call to action.

Unless one supports what happened in Yelwata, Bokkos, or Taraba, where entire communities were razed and families wiped out, there is no moral justification for twisting Trump’s words. These atrocities have continued with little accountability. How many of the perpetrators have been arrested, paraded, or prosecuted?

The absence of justice and the slow response from authorities only highlight how unserious Nigeria has been in confronting these criminals.

Trump said, “Move fast, and if you don’t, the United States will step in.”
The keyword here is “if.” It is a conditional statement, which means the responsibility lies first and foremost with Nigerian authorities to protect their citizens.

So, why the outrage? Why attack someone calling for decisive action against terrorism? Shouldn’t every patriotic Nigerian, whether Muslim or Christian want the killings to stop?

The truth is that terrorists have no religion. Their victims cut across faiths and ethnic lines. It is therefore misleading and dangerous to turn a security issue into a religious one.

If anyone supports the ongoing killings and destruction, they should come out openly and say so. But let us not twist Trump’s words. He did not declare war on Islam — he spoke against those who kill, burn, and destroy innocent lives.

The Message Is Simple; Nigeria must move fast. Stop the killings. Protect her citizens.
And restore the nation’s dignity before others step in to do what our leaders have failed to do.