Russia has stated that it is closely monitoring developments in Nigeria following a statement by US President Donald Trump implying possible military action in the country.
During a press briefing in Moscow on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Russia is “closely monitoring this issue and calls on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms.”
Her comments were in answer to a question from the Anadolu news agency about Trump’s recent remarks.
On November 1, Trump announced that he had authorized the Pentagon to prepare “options for possible military measures” against terrorist groups in Nigeria, stating that the decision was intended to safeguard Christian communities there.
Zakharova asked Washington to behave properly and within international law.
“We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms,” she reiterated.
Last Friday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that radical Islamist groups pose an “existential threat” to Christianity in Nigeria.
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby designating Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern,’” he wrote.
Trump went on to say that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,” and that his administration would be ready, willing, and able to protect the world’s large Christian population.
He also requested members of Congress to look into the problem, directing Congressman Moore, Chairman Tom Cole, and the House Appropriations Committee to report back to him.
In response, the Federal Government denied the allegations, with President Bola Tinubu repeating that Nigeria values religious freedom and defends the rights of all faiths.
