Stay clear of Nigeria, Muslim Leaders Warn Isreali Prime Minister Netanyahu over recent comments

Stay clear of Nigeria, Muslim Leaders Warn Isreali Prime Minister Netanyahu over recent comments

Some Muslim leaders in Nigeria have cautioned Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, against any involvement in the country, following his recent pledge to collaborate with United States President, Donald Trump, in combating terrorist attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

Netanyahu had, in a Christmas Day message addressed to Christian Zionist supporters, declared that Israel would open a “new front” to defend Christians facing persecution in countries including Nigeria, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey.

Reacting on Friday, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) described the Israeli leader’s remarks as ironic, arguing that someone it accused of perpetrating violence against Palestinians should not present himself as a defender against terrorism elsewhere.

Speaking with Saturday Tribune, MUSWEN’s Executive Secretary, Professor Wole Abbas, criticised Netanyahu’s position, saying: “Netanyahu’s statement that he would join President Trump of America in fighting terrorism in Nigeria is unfortunate.

“What he has done to Palestinians in Gaza is almost worse than terrorism. This is a person who has been declared wanted by the world court.

“He still engages in genocide in Gaza and wants to help solve same in Nigeria. I cannot understand what we are witnessing in the world now.

“Netanyahu is a criminal who should be arrested and prosecuted for genocide.”

Similarly, a former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, rejected Netanyahu’s claim that Israel would partner with the United States to support Christian communities in Nigeria who are facing attacks.

In a post on his X account on Friday, Ahmad argued that any form of foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s security challenges, including possible airstrikes against terrorist groups, was unnecessary and amounted to an infringement on the country’s sovereignty.

Netanyahu had justified the proposed action as part of a broader global campaign against radical Shiite groups linked to Iran and extremist Sunni movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood, warning that threats against Judeo-Christian communities were spreading beyond the Middle East into Africa.

Responding, Ahmad stated: “Nigeria doesn’t need your help. We welcome legitimate support to tackle security challenges, but certainly not from individuals facing ongoing genocide trials before an international court.”

He added that Nigeria’s security problems should be addressed in ways that respect national sovereignty while relying on internal capacity and internationally recognised cooperation.

Also reacting, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu, condemned the statement credited to the Israeli Prime Minister, in which he claimed he would defend Christians in Nigeria.

Aliyu dismissed the remarks entirely, questioning Netanyahu’s motives and intentions in offering to intervene in Nigeria’s internal security affairs.

“I am sure he is not serious. Firstly, where are Christians being persecuted in Nigeria? Also, at what time did he become a Christian that he wants to defend their interests?

“It is a known fact that he is a Jew, and the difference between a Jew and a Christian is wider than the difference between a Christian and a Muslim.

“He should not take the silence of Nigeria for weakness. We have enough security challenges in the country; he should let the country focus on that,” Alhaji Aliyu added.

Also reacting, a Muslim leader in Sokoto, Mallam Umar Abubakar, said the Israeli Prime Minister is primarily after Nigeria’s mineral resources.

He called on the PM and other world leaders to support efforts by President Bola Tinubu in tackling insecurity, rather than using their words to provoke religious conflict.

According to him, “The PM has a hidden agenda behind his statement. What they are after is the mineral resources.

“They are only trying to create war among us so that they can penetrate us to exploit our resources. If they truly have the country’s interest at heart, they should talk to our President and see how they can support efforts to tackle the menace.

“The security situation in the country goes beyond religion. Just as attacks occur on churches, mosques are also targeted. We need their support to address insecurity, not to divide us further,” he added.