Ex-DSS director urges Nigerian govt to treat Trump’s military threat with utmost seriousness

A former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mike Ejiofor, has urged the Federal Government to take seriously recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened possible military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

Ejiofor made the call during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, warning that Trump’s statements should not be dismissed as political rhetoric.

“I think the Federal Government should take Donald Trump seriously.

“I’m calling on the Nigerian government to explore all diplomatic channels to resolve this matter, ” he said.

Trump, in a fiery post on his Truth Social platform last week, accused the Nigerian government of allowing what he described as the “mass slaughter of Christians. ”

Barely a day earlier, he had reclassified Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) a U.S. State Department designation reserved for nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom.

In his post, Trump threatened to halt all U.S. aid to Nigeria and ordered the “Department of War” to prepare for possible military action if the alleged killings continued.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria.

 “We may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns blazing, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these atrocities, ” he wrote.

Ejiofor, who once headed the domestic intelligence agency, said Nigeria should not underestimate Trump’s remarks.

“It is a very serious matter when you talk about Donald Trump.

“He says what he means, and he often goes ahead to act on it. This is not a play we can gloss over — it is a real threat, ” he said.

The Nigerian government has, however, dismissed the genocide allegations, reiterating its commitment to upholding religious freedom and protecting citizens of all faiths.

Officials maintained that ongoing violence in parts of the country is driven by terrorism, criminality, and communal conflicts rather than religion.

In a related development, the Chinese government has voiced support for Nigeria amid the growing diplomatic tension.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said Beijing “firmly supports the Nigerian government in leading its people on a development path suited to its national realities.”

“As a comprehensive strategic partner of Nigeria, China calls on the international community to respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and the efforts of its government to maintain peace and stability,” Mao added.

The remarks from Beijing come as several countries monitor the escalating exchange between Washington and Abuja.

Diplomats say Nigerian officials are expected to engage with U.S. authorities in the coming days to de-escalate the situation and clarify the government’s position on religious freedom.