The two U.S. Reps also warned that Trump’s threat to stop aid to Nigeria would hurt vital humanitarian and development efforts.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Two United States House of Representatives members, Sara Jacobs and Gregory W. Meeks, have slammed President Donald Trump for threatening to send troops to Nigeria and cut off aid to the West African country, calling his remarks “irresponsible and reckless.”
Jacobs, who is a ranking member of the Africa Subcommittee, and Meeks, who is a ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said this on Monday in a joint statement.
The two senior members of the U.S. Congress went on to reject the Trump administration’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” arguing it oversimplifies the complex nature of violence in the country.
“The designation ignores the reality that clashes between farmers and herders are often driven by resource scarcity and land competition, not religion,” the statement read. “Terrorist groups have targeted both Christians and Muslims, especially in northern Nigeria, where communities continue to face attacks by criminal gangs known as bandits.”
They also commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to promote interfaith harmony and improve security, noting that “all Nigerians deserve protection.”
Jacobs and Meeks further condemned Trump’s threat to “defend Christians” through possible military intervention, calling it a “reckless response to distorted facts.”
“It is incredibly irresponsible for President Trump to threaten military action. Providing security assistance is one thing; threatening intervention is something else entirely. Such rhetoric risks dragging the United States into another unnecessary conflict,” the lawmakers said.
Reacting to Trump’s call for cut off U.S. aid to Nigeria, the lawmakers warned the move would hurt vital humanitarian and development efforts.
““Trump’s aid cuts have blocked essential programs that provide emergency nutrition and livelihood support initiatives that are key to preventing the spread of insurgency,” they added.
