Concerned citizens urge U.S. to withdraw threats against Nigeria

A group of prominent Nigerians under the banner of Concerned Nigerian Citizens has called on the United States to withdraw recent threats against Nigeria.

They have also urged the Nigerian government to take full responsibility for addressing insecurity and protecting its citizens.

The call was made in Kaduna on Wednesday at a press briefing addressed by Dr Bilkisu Oniyangi, on behalf of the members including Prof. Usman Yusuf, Dr Ahmed Shehu, Dr Aliyu Tilde, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and Mr Kalli Al-Ghazali.

Oniyangi said the group, made up of Nigerians from diverse backgrounds and faiths, came together to offer constructive responses to recent tensions arising from comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to relist Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and possibly take military action.

She explained that the remarks had generated widespread anxiety and division among Nigerians, with some viewing them as an affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty, while others saw them as a reaction to insecurity affecting many communities.

Oniyangi said, ““We are concerned that these developments could deepen our national fault lines and turn our country into a pawn in global geopolitics.

“Our tragedy is that we have been poorly led for too long, and we have not sufficiently resisted weak and indifferent leadership.”

According to the group, Nigeria’s challenges of insecurity, poverty, and poor have made it vulnerable to foreign manipulation, adding that only a united and resolute citizenry could restore the country’s dignity and security.

They added, “This is our problem as Nigerians, and it will be solved by us.

“The U.S. and other friendly nations should support us strategically, not threaten us. What we need now is solidarity, not interference.”

The concerned citizens acknowledged that global partners such as the U.S., U.K., China, and Russia could assist in strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism and instability.

The group however stressed that the country’s sovereignty must remain sacrosanct.

They also advised President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate stronger political will and accountability in addressing insecurity, urging him to reassure Nigerians that their safety remained his government’s highest priority.

Oniyangi said, “We encourage President Tinubu to directly address Nigerians on this issue, reassuring us that the government is on top of the situation

“He should resist the temptation to travel abroad and instead focus on rebuilding trust and reforming the country’s decaying security institutions.”

The concerned citizens further called on the president to appoint qualified Heads of Missions to protect and project Nigeria’s interests abroad, warning that failure to do so would leave room for false narratives and diplomatic setbacks.

They also urged religious and community leaders to promote restraint and unity, emphasising that insecurity affects all Nigerians regardless of faith or region.

They said, “Nigerians should not quarrel over who is being killed the most. Every life matters. Those who kill us do not care about our religion.

“This battle is between peace,loving Muslims and Christians on one side, and those who kill them on the other.”

The concerned citizens also cautioned against the growing external influence in the Sahel region, noting that acts of hostility and instability could play into the hands of extremist groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, Ansaru, IPOB, and bandits.

They described the situation as a threat not only to Nigeria’s unity but also to regional and global security, calling on the international community to recognise and resist attempts to destabilise the region.

“Our independence and unity have been tested many times.

“We will pull through again, but we need the support of genuine friends and allies,” Oniyangi concluded.

They also reaffirmed commitment to engaging with government and stakeholders to promote peace, national cohesion, and lasting solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.

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