United States (US) Congressman Bill Huizenga has downplayed the likelihood of any military intervention in Nigeria by the Trump administration, amid rising international concerns over alleged religious persecution in the country.
In an exclusive interview with Arise Television, Huizenga acknowledged that President Donald Trump has spoken forcefully against the reported killings of Christians and other groups in Nigeria.
However, he emphasised that direct military action by the US is not currently on the agenda.
“I suspect that actual military intervention in Nigeria is not a high priority,” Huizenga said. “The President wants to ensure that the violence, specifically targeting Christians but also affecting other groups in Nigeria, comes to an end. But I don’t foresee a military response.”
The lawmaker suggested that economic measures, including sanctions against individuals and organizations linked to violence, would be a more effective tool for addressing the crisis.
Huizenga also commended Trump’s foreign policy approach, noting the administration’s focus on promoting peace rather than escalating conflicts. He expressed particular concern over ongoing attacks by radical groups, including Fulani militants and Boko Haram, which have targeted both Christians and moderate Muslims across the country.
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He said: “I too was surprised by the comments that they came out, that the President came out that forcefully. I suspect that that is not a high priority of having actual military intervention, specifically in Nigeria. But I think he does want to make sure that, from his view, the genocide that is happening specifically against Christians, but also others in Nigeria needs to stop. While I don’t envision a surprise attack, I don’t envision that there’s going to be a military response.
“First, as we had talked about, I would first and foremost, encourage them to look at the economic pressure and sanctions on both individuals and organizations. I think that would be the most effective.
“Frankly, this President has been someone who has pursued peace rather than just expanding war. So I think he would be very selective before he did anything militarily.
“Sanctions really cut off the flow of money, cut off the flow of travel. We don’t know who know who exactly is financing much of these operations from the Fulani or Boko Haram in the past. And what I do know is, though, if we put economic pressure on them and the inability to move money around, that that will have an impact, I think a positive impact.
“I’m glad that we’re able to do this. This is something that’s been very, very important, and as I’ve been saying to some of my colleagues, we were too late on Rwanda. We were too late on South Sudan and a number of other atrocities that have happened in Africa and other places around the world. So let’s not be too late again on this one.
“What I’m concerned about in particular is, you look at the Fulani and the radicalized Islamists, how they are attacking both moderate Muslims as well as the Christians. And I think it’s hard to deny, when you see 200 Christians slaughtered on Christmas eve a few years ago. Clearly it was coordinated attack. And I’ve talked to people that were in the village. I’ve talked to religious leaders who have been experiencing this for years. They feel targeted.”
