United States Congressman Bill Huizenga has dismissed the possibility of the US government under President Donald Trump launching any military action against Nigeria, despite growing concerns over alleged religious persecution in the country.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Arise Television, Huizenga said while President Trump had spoken strongly about the reported killings of Christians and other groups in Nigeria, military intervention was not being considered a priority.
“I suspect that actual military intervention in Nigeria is not a high priority,” he said. “The President wants to make sure that, from his view, the genocide that is happening specifically against Christians, but also others in Nigeria, needs to stop. But I don’t envision a military response.”
The lawmaker said economic measures such as sanctions on individuals and organizations linked to violence would be more effective in addressing the crisis.
Huizinga also praised Trump’s foreign policy approach, saying he had prioritized peace over conflict.
The Congressman further expressed concern over continuing attacks by radicalized groups, including Fulani militants and Boko Haram, saying they had targeted both Christians and moderate Muslims.
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.”
