ISWAP Slams Trump Over Military Threat, Warns Fighters To Prepare For Possible U.S. Action In Nigeria

 

Tensions appear to be rising in West Africa following a reaction from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to recent statements attributed to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The militant group reportedly released a propaganda message condemning Trump’s warning of possible military intervention in Nigeria, which he justified as a response to what he described as “genocide against Christians.”

Security analyst and counterterrorism expert Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a report shared through his verified X handle, explaining that ISWAP’s statement was disseminated through its usual internal communication platforms. According to Makama, the insurgent faction used the opportunity to lash out at Trump, branding him a “reckless American tyrant” and accusing him of being manipulated by “evangelical Christian and Jewish advisers” during his tenure as U.S. president.

Trump’s comment, which resurfaced amid renewed international scrutiny of Nigeria’s religious violence, appeared to suggest that Washington might take direct or indirect military measures against the country if the alleged persecution of Christians continues. The former president had previously placed Nigeria on the U.S. list of “Countries of Particular Concern,” a designation reserved for nations accused of severe violations of religious freedom. His latest rhetoric reportedly instructed the U.S. Department of Defense to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria, heightening speculation about what form such action could take.

ISWAP’s propaganda message framed Trump’s declaration as part of a larger Western plot to portray the United States as the “global defender of Christians.” The group claimed that this narrative was being strategically used to justify future interventions in Muslim-majority regions across Africa. It further accused Washington of hypocrisy, arguing that the West routinely commits “crimes against Africans” through economic manipulation, military interference, and political subversion, while pretending to promote democracy and human rights.

The extremist organization also used the occasion to caution its members about potential surveillance and targeted strikes. According to Makama’s report, ISWAP’s commanders instructed fighters to avoid using smartphones or any digital devices that could expose their locations to Western intelligence agencies. They were also urged to refrain from attending large gatherings or moving in groups, reflecting the group’s fear of increased monitoring or drone attacks should U.S. forces or allied partners step up operations in the region.

Beyond its tactical warnings, ISWAP’s message carried a broader ideological tone, calling on Muslims across West Africa to “unite” in the face of what it characterized as a new wave of Western aggression. The group presented Trump’s words as evidence that Western nations remain hostile to Islam and determined to suppress Islamic identity through political and military means. Analysts believe this rhetoric could be aimed at rallying support, strengthening recruitment efforts, and portraying the organization as a protector of the Muslim community against perceived external threats.

Security experts caution that such propaganda releases often serve multiple purposes, including boosting morale among insurgents, distracting intelligence services, and influencing public sentiment in vulnerable communities. Makama noted that ISWAP has a long history of exploiting international events and Western statements to justify its activities, presenting its actions as defensive rather than terrorist in nature.

Trump’s remarks, though unofficial in the current political context, have reignited debates about U.S. foreign policy toward Africa and the impact of American religious politics on global security. Critics argue that framing Nigeria’s complex security crisis solely along religious lines oversimplifies the situation, which also involves poverty, governance challenges, and local grievances. Others, however, see Trump’s stance as consistent with his administration’s previous emphasis on protecting global Christian minorities, an issue that resonated with conservative religious groups in the United States.

As reactions continue to unfold, Nigerian authorities have yet to issue an official statement addressing Trump’s comments or ISWAP’s subsequent threat. However, local analysts suggest that any escalation of rhetoric could embolden extremists and complicate ongoing counterterrorism efforts in the country’s northeast region. The Nigerian military, which has been battling ISWAP and other militant factions for more than a decade, remains on high alert as the situation evolves.

The episode underscores the fragile balance between global politics, religion, and regional security in West Africa. It also highlights how extremist organizations like ISWAP capitalize on international discourse to reinforce their anti-Western agenda and maintain ideological momentum among their ranks. Whether Trump’s comments will translate into concrete policy moves by Washington remains uncertain, but for now, the mere suggestion of U.S. military involvement has already sparked a fierce propaganda counterattack from one of Africa’s most dangerous terrorist groups.