We are monitoring development in Nigeria after Trump’s military threat – Russia

The Russian government has announced that it is closely following events in Nigeria after United States President Donald Trump hinted at possible American military involvement in the country.

At a press conference in Moscow on Friday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that Russia is “closely monitoring this issue and calls on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms.”

Zakharova made the statement while responding to a question from Turkey’s Anadolu news agency concerning Trump’s recent comments.

On November 1, Trump said he had instructed the Pentagon to prepare “options for possible military measures” targeting terrorist groups in Nigeria — a move he claimed was aimed at safeguarding Christian communities.

Zakharova cautioned Washington to act with restraint and within the framework of international law.

“We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms,” she reiterated.

Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform last Friday, described Christianity in Nigeria as being under an “existential threat” from radical Islamist groups.

“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.

He further declared that the United States “cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening,” vowing that his administration would be ready “to protect our great Christian population around the world.

The former U.S. president also urged Congress to investigate the matter, directing Congressman Moore, Chairman Tom Cole, and the House Appropriations Committee to provide a report.

In reaction, the Federal Government dismissed Trump’s claims. President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria guarantees religious freedom and protects the rights of citizens regardless of faith.