Hope Alive Initiative (HAI), a civil society organisation (CSO), has urged US President Donald Trump to collaborate with Nigeria to solve its security crisis rather than adopt a confrontational approach.
The group’s call follows the recent designation of Nigeria as “a country of particular concern” by Trump over alleged persecution of Christians in the country and the threat of a military action.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ernest Omoarelojie, HAI’s director of media and communications, said the threat of military intervention undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty and diplomatic efforts to address its complex security issues effectively.
The group acknowledged that the activities of extremist groups have resulted in the tragic loss of lives but insisted that the outcome is better classified “as a manifestation of a complex and multi-dimensional crisis that affects every Nigerian irrespective of faith”.
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“While we acknowledge with profound sorrow the murderous killings by extremist groups and the tragic loss of innocent lives, we must categorically state that the victims cut across all religious and ethnic divides,” the statement reads.
“This is not a one-dimensional religious conflict but a complex, multidimensional security crisis affecting Christians, Muslims, and adherents of all faiths alike.
“We therefore urge President Donald Trump and the US government to pursue collaboration rather than confrontation—working jointly with Nigeria to enhance regional stability, strengthen counter-terrorism efforts, and ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.”
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The CSO called for the understanding and cooperation of the global community to enable Nigeria to sort out its challenging security issues.
The group said the country has demonstrated its commitment to tackling insecurity through enhanced intelligence sharing, community-based initiatives, inter-agency collaboration, and interfaith dialogue.
“Nigeria stands as Africa’s most populous nation,” HAI said.
“It has made enormous sacrifices in blood and treasure for African decolonisation, the emancipation of the black race, and peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and across the world.
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“We deserve to be treated with respect and accorded our rightful place among the nations.
“Contrary to claims that Nigeria has been sitting idle, the government has committed substantial resources and implemented comprehensive initiatives.
“These include increased year-on-year security and defence budgets, various military and security operations across the country, and multi-pronged non-kinetic measures that demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protecting all Nigerians, irrespective of religion or ethnicity, through action, not rhetoric.”
The civil society group asked the US, the United Kingdom (UK), China, the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to support Nigeria to defeat insecurity.
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