The United States Congresswoman Sara Jacobs has criticised President Donald Trump’s threat of unilateral military action in Nigeria over alleged Christian genocide, describing the rhetoric as “reckless” and potentially dangerous for communities already facing widespread insecurity.
Jacobs, a Democrat representing California’s 51st Congressional District and a ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Africa, made the remarks on Thursday during a congressional hearing reviewing Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern.
She argued that portraying Nigeria’s complex violence as a strictly religious conflict distorts reality and fuels tensions.
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“It is counterproductive to adopt overly simplistic narratives about the multiple, complex, overlapping security challenges across the country,” she said.
Recalling her work on counter-Boko Haram strategies during her time at the State Department, Jacobs insisted that both Christian and Muslim communities suffer from insecurity.
She cited the recent killings and church kidnapping incident in Kwara State and the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State as examples of the broad spectrum of victims.
“The violence affecting both Christian and Muslim communities is real, and the Nigerian government can and should do more,” she said, warning that Trump’s statements could escalate divisions.
“We are already receiving reports of increased tensions between Christian and Muslim populations following this rhetoric,” she said.
Jacobs stressed that Trump’s threat to intervene militarily violates both US law and international norms.
“Any unilateral military action in Nigeria would be illegal. Congress has not authorised the use of force in Nigeria, and any action without Nigeria’s consent violates international law,” she said.
The congresswoman maintained that while Nigeria faces serious security challenges, addressing them requires nuanced analysis and cooperation, not inflammatory threats.