Expert says Nigeria’s security crisis goes beyond religion

International affairs expert, Dr. Greg Mills, says that while Christians in Nigeria are facing targeted attacks, they are not the only victims, as many others have suffered from Boko Haram violence for years.

Dr. Mills adds that the Nigerian government has struggled to end the violence, citing both limited capacity and lack of political will, and suggests that some actors may benefit from the ongoing conflict.

His remarks come after to US President Donald Trump claimed that Christians in Nigeria are being persecuted and warned pf possible militarily intervention.

Trump recently relisted Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), a U.S. designation for nations accused of violating religious freedoms.

According to The Catholic Register, at least 185,000 people – including 125,000 Christians and 60,000 moderate Muslims – have been killed in Nigeria since 2009 by Boko Haram.

Data from the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, sows that at least 2,266 people were killed by bandits or insurgents in Nigeria during the first half of 2025, already surpassing the total number of such deaths recorded in all of 2024.

Posting on his Truth Social page, Trump said the United States could deploy troops to Nigeria to stop what he called the “killing of large numbers of Christians” by militant groups. He also accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect vulnerable communities.

Dr. Mills says Trump’s remarks are largely intended to appeal to his conservative Christian base in the United States.

He argues that foreign military action would achieve little, as Nigeria’s ongoing insecurity stems from deep-rooted underdevelopment and inequality in the country’s northeast.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has strongly rejected Trump’s claims, insisting that the violence carried out by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is not a targeted campaign against Christians alone.

Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.

Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect… pic.twitter.com/mRb9IqKMFm

— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) November 1, 2025

Tinubu has also vowed to tighten government’s fight against the groups causing instability in the country.

President Tinubu to service chiefs: We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer.@Asovilladigital#RenewedHopeAgenda #NationalSecurity pic.twitter.com/5pB1YIGcGH

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 30, 2025

Dr. Mills adds that regional bodies such as the African Union have been largely ineffective in addressing conflicts of this nature, often appearing more focused on protecting political leaders than citizens.

He says African governments need to “get their own house in order” by building credible institutions, tackling corruption, and strengthening the rule of law – steps that would make external intervention unnecessary.

Some Nigerians on social media have also hit back at Trump, saying his claims are false.

For the record, Trump is crazy. He has no legitimate authority to launch an armed Christian crusade in Nigeria. If he is interested in saving lives – as everyone should – there are legitimate ways to intervene. Violating Nigeria’s sovereignty without a UN resolution to backing…

— Ayo Sogunro (@ayosogunro) November 1, 2025

If you think Trump actually cares about Nigeria or Christians there i have a bridge in lekki to sell you . From the oil that is there to the Chinese being out there it’s so much deeper than what’s being portrayed lol but hey .

— Young Prince 🇳🇬🇯🇲 (@YoungPrince_) November 2, 2025