Russia has said it is watching closely the growing reports about possible plans by the United States to carry out military action in Nigeria.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made this known during a press briefing in Moscow on Friday. She called on all countries involved to respect international laws in handling the matter.
Her statement followed reports from senior US defence officials earlier in the week claiming that the Pentagon had prepared both air and ground strike options in Nigeria. The officials said the move was based on President Donald Trump’s order to “protect Christians from attacks by Islamic militants.”
Recently, the US president reclassified Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” citing allegations of targeted killings of Christians in the West African nation. He also warned that Washington could intervene militarily if the Nigerian government failed to address the alleged attacks.
However, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have dismissed claims of any religious genocide. The Nigerian government said it was open to cooperation in the fight against terrorism but would not accept any actions that threaten its national sovereignty.
“We are closely monitoring this issue and call on all parties involved to strictly comply with international legal norms,” Zakharova said.
In a related development, Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Communication, told Russian state television that Nigeria does not need “American boots on Nigerian soil.” He admitted that the country faces security challenges but said the government has made “massive progress” in addressing them.