₦airaland Forum

The Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has reportedly reacted to the recent threat by President Donald Trump to launch military action in Nigeria.

Trump, who had designated Nigeria as Country of Particular Concern, had also informed the US department of war to prepare for possible action in Nigeria over the alleged genocide against Christians in the country.

A security expert, Zagazola Makama said in a report he posted on his official X handle that the terrorist group reacted to Trump’s threat via a “propaganda message circulated on its usual communication channels”.

He said ISWAP in its message, described Trump as a “reckless American tyrant,” alleging that the US President was being influenced by “evangelical Christian and Jewish advisers” during his administration.

The group, according to Zagazola, claimed that Trump’s move signaled what it described as an attempt by the United States to project itself as a “global defender of Christians.”

He said the extremists also warned its fighters against the use of smart phones, urging them to avoid large gatherings and limit movement.

In the statement, the group called on Muslims in West Africa to “unite” and take the alleged US threat seriously, accusing the West of what it termed “crimes against African.

Tinubu's Newly Appointed INEC Chairman Prof Amupitan Wrote Legal Brief In 2020 Report Confirming Genocidal Killings In Nigeria

Facts have emerged on how Nigeria’s newly appointed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), authored a legal brief in a 2020 report that explicitly described alleged mass killings and violent campaigns in Nigeria as acts of genocide.

SaharaReporters which obtained the report titled "Nigeria's Silent Slaughter" on Thursday saw that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in his legal brief, called for urgent international intervention to stop what he termed “pogrom and attacks against the Christians and minority groups in Nigeria.”

The article of Amupitan, recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu to head the country's electoral commission, is titled “Legal Brief: Genocide in Nigeria – The Implications for the International Community."

Meanwhile, the complete report was published by The International Committee on Nigeria (ICON), a consortium of Nigerians and global advocates for human rights and religious freedom.

The document, signed under his law firm — “Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) & Co. Legal Practitioners & Corporate Consultants”, bears the firm’s Jos and Abuja addresses, confirming his authorship long before his appointment by President Bola Tinubu.

In the paper, Amupitan declared that “it is a notorious fact that there is perpetration of crimes under international law in Nigeria, particularly crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.”

He lamented what he described as the government’s failure to prosecute offenders and protect minority citizens, warning that Nigeria risked repeating “the Rwandan and Sudanese mistakes” where the world stood by as ethnic massacres unfolded.

“While the country is trying to manage the concerns engendered by the clamour for self-determination,” he wrote, “two violent extremist groups have emerged to exacerbate an already deteriorating situation… Boko Haram and the Fulani herdsmen, responsible for an orgy of bloodbath and massive displacements in many States across Nigeria.”

He noted that although Boko Haram had been formally designated a terrorist organisation in 2013, the Fulani herdsmen — whom he directly accused of orchestrating widespread massacres — had not been officially recognized as terrorists, but rather “labelled a terrorist group.”

Amupitan’s legal analysis went beyond mere condemnation.

He accused the Nigerian government of constitutional failure, asserting that the neglect of the state to prosecute alleged perpetrators had made international intervention “a moral and legal necessity.”

“The victims of the crises are mainly the Christian population and the minority ethnic groups in Nigeria,” the brief stated, “and hence the need for remedial actions under the international law.”

He stressed that the “basis of intervention” was the government’s “neglect of its constitutional responsibility to provide welfare and security for the citizenry being the primary purpose of government.”

Tracing the historical roots of Nigeria’s ethno-religious conflicts, Amupitan wrote that the “drive for Islamisation of Nigeria through the jihad of 1804” had now reappeared through modern extremist movements. He described the Fulani-led jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio as a “full-blown Islamization agenda”, arguing that the same ideological undercurrent still drives much of the current violence in northern Nigeria.

“Following the 19th century jihad of Uthman Dan Fodio,” he explained, “the Hausa territories were conquered and the Sokoto Caliphate established… The success of the jihad was one of the religious triumphalism that aimed at expanding the caliphate to other parts of Nigeria in the irrevocable bid to dip the Quran into the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos.”

Amupitan linked that legacy to Nigeria’s modern-day insecurity, asserting that “the caliphate thereafter became a dominant force in the north,” and that subsequent governments had continued to protect its influence through political manipulation and systemic favoritism.

The legal brief also accused Nigerian authorities of deliberately avoiding the term “genocide” to escape international accountability:

“States are skeptical of naming ‘genocide’ the way it is to avoid committing resources to stop it and to punish perpetrators,” he wrote. “Such States easily find cover under the principle of complementarity… Concealing genocide becomes a strategy to guard sovereignty and protect ego, at the expense of innocent lives.”

He added that “there is nothing as devastating as losing a group whose identity enjoys some specificity, uniqueness, and permanency that can neither be replaced nor easily replaceable.”

Prof. Amupitan concluded his paper by making a direct appeal to the United Nations and global powers to intervene in Nigeria’s crisis:

“The alleged involvement of the State and non-State actors in the commission of crimes under international law in Nigeria has complicated an already complex situation,” he wrote. “Consequently, the situation beckons the urgent need for a neutral and impartial third-party intervention, especially the UN and its key organs, the military and economic superpowers.”

He emphasised that international law supersedes absolute state sovereignty in cases of genocide and crimes against humanity, writing:

“In a globalised world, State sovereignty diminishes to accommodate the common interests of the global community concretised by a mixture of consent, consensus and compelling norms.

Nigerian Senator Backs Trump’s Call, Says Nigeria Cannot Yet Account For Leah Sharibu, Other Chibok Schoolgirls

Governor of Bayelsa State and serving Senator, Seriake Dickson, has expressed support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments on the mass killings in Nigeria, describing Trump’s position as “a wake-up call to action.”

In a statement titled “Alleged Genocide: My Stance On President Trump’s Statement,” and issues on Thursday, Dickson emphasised that while Nigeria’s sovereignty must be respected, the country must also embrace global partnerships to combat terrorism and restore peace.

"I wish to state, firstly, that Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national institutions must be respected by all. At the same time, I fully support any collaborative action aimed at eradicating the murderous bands of terrorists who have wantonly slaughtered thousands of our countrymen and women — Christians, Muslims, and people of other faiths alike," he said.

The senator, who represents Bayelsa West, recounted how terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS, al-Qaeda, and others have “wreaked unimaginable havoc” across Nigeria for nearly 15 years.

"They introduced suicide bombing in Nigeria and began a murderous campaign, especially in Borno State, from which it gradually spread across the northeastern part of our country," he stated.

Dickson lamented that both Christians and Muslims had been victims of the violence.

"Places of worship — both churches and mosques, as well as palaces and traditional rulers have not been spared in their bloodbath. School children have been kidnapped, killed, or forcefully married off," he said, adding that the whereabouts of Leah Sharibu and several Chibok girls remained unknown.

"Till today, Nigeria has not fully accounted for the whereabouts of many of these students — for instance, Leah Sharibu and some Chibok girls remain missing," Dickson added.

According to him, the terrorists continue to control territories in states such as Borno, Zamfara, and Katsina, where they impose taxes and operate outside Nigerian laws. "This is a direct affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and should not be tolerated any further. President Trump’s statement is a wake-up call to action," he said.

Dickson revealed that the Nigerian Senate has consistently raised concerns about the escalating violence. "Hardly a week passes without a member of the Senate drawing attention to reports of killings and attacks on villages in one constituency or the other," he said.

He added that the Senate recently proposed a National Security Summit and directed its leadership to engage with the presidency on dispatching “a non-partisan team of experts and statesmen to Washington D.C.”

The senator also criticised the failures of successive governments, citing allegations of state complicity during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.

"Late President Buhari’s policy of appointing mostly Muslims to head all the security services during his eight years in office further worsened these perceptions," he noted.

"We need help! No nation can confront terrorism in isolation," Dickson declared. He urged President Bola Tinubu to "collaborate with President Donald Trump, the US Government, and other allies and friends of Nigeria to flush out these marauding terrorists."

He further called for the swift appointment of ambassadors to strengthen Nigeria’s diplomatic capacity. "This anomaly should be corrected as soon as possible to enable our country maximise its diplomatic resources and options," he said.

"May God help Nigeria," the statement concluded.

His comments come as mixed reactions trail the threat of Donald Trump to carry out military operations in Nigeria and labeling the country as that of "Particular Concern".

Razakki1:
you must be very stupid for insulting our Muslim leaders that way. they are right. Lagos is a Muslim state and Muslims makes 60% of Lagos so why deny Muslims more position. Can you go to bayelsa state for instance and give Muslims 70% of political position and christians 30%. It can never happen that way because bayelsa is a Christian state, likewise Lagos is a Muslim state. we aught to have more political positions.

Onyocha:
Atiku's Yoruba wife is from Osun.

He's their in-law

latestsunny:
The same mistake Afonja made by teaming up with the Fulanis in Kwara, which made Yoruba to loss Kwara state to the Fulanis till date is repeating itself in Lagos. 5years to come, non indigenes will take over Lagos and Yorubas will no longer have a say in the affairs of this state.

LexngtonSteele:


Good job. Tinubu and other liberal Yorubas will sit up.

Give them an inch. They take a mile.

Mrshocker:
Igbos will be tamed in Lagos this time. Lagos have given them too much comfort.

New land use law must be reviewed for non-indigenous lagosians (confiscate there properties for state projects)

Thank you OYO,ogun,ondo,ekiti,rivers and all loyal northerners!!!
Oshe oloun to boju wa je.

We won 🥇 God bless GCFR Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Special thanks to Kwankwaso and Peter obi for doing there assignment excellently even though obi foolish followers don’t know why he’s on the ballot.

Massiveglory:
AERO is lucky that LP didn't have candidates for Senate.
Obedients shifted the love to him.

Congratulations to AERO.

babaolofin:
Danwakae analyzed what you have just said to me on nairaland but we were just two of us on that thread exchanging our thoughts. He said Buhari is also behind Atiku. He analyzed North East and North West where he said Atiku would win APC. I disagreed with him but with what he said about Gombe and Bauchi and Taraba coming to pass 100%, I now believed everything he said.
My personal friend from Kano also told me many things Buhari has done to create problems for Tinubu in the North.

babaolofin:
This is what Buhari has caused. DANKWAE told me few weeks to Election.

Danwakae. Where is my friend on nairaland - DANWAKAE. You told me what BUHARI has done to promote Atiku in the North. You told me Gombe & Bauchi are for Atiku . That was why when Ali Isa Patanmi represented him in Gombe, I know Gombe is gone.

All what you said about Buhari honouring Atiku by making him to stand for him during the marriage of his child instead of Abdulahi Adamu the APC Chairman is true.

Everything you said about Northern politics is true. I have been analyzing your analysis since last week Monday. I thought you are wrong, but now I now you are 100% correct.

BastadThiefnubu:
If the backward Igbos were known for knowledge, Ojukwu, the most foolish mad creature on earth wouldn't have sacrificed about 3 million primitive animals like you.
And even till this day, you backward animals are still killing yourselves in that erosion ravished waste land of unknown gun men, ritualists, lunatics, robbers, criminals, olosho, idps, baby factory animals, human and drug traffickers, thiefs, rapists, scammers, fraudsters, parasites, fake product sellers, fake pastors, Aninies, reverend king, Clifford Orji.

Your backward thinking idiosyncrasy has reduced your region to one of the least progressive regions in Nigeria, even the Hausa land that was known for underdevelopment is now ahead of your retrogressive and primitive enclave that is populated by idiotic tribal bigots like you.

None of your stewpid Igbo leaders is fit to lace the sandals of Akwa Ibom leaders from Attah to Udom Emmanuel, yet you have the guts to insult your backward Igbo tribe.

Akwa Ibom forward thinking leaders have continued to transform Akwa Ibom from a village in that is was in 1987 to a state that has now surpassed most of the states in Nigeria in terms of public infrastructure, if they were as foolish as your good for nothing leaders like Rochas and Orjis, Akwa Ibom would have been a war theatre like your miserable Igbo land that your animalistic, primitive, tribal creatures are killing everything and one another, all in the name of trying to secede from Nigeria that your past leaders destroyed.
Fool......

Zincfingers:
Omo
The North West came through for Tinubu .
The Muslim Muslim ticket is a master stroke.
JAGABAN is the greatest politician in the history of Nigeria.
God bless AREWA

Ofunaofu:
Shettima is from borno, the senate president, Ahmed Lawan is from Yobe

challoxxx:
For you to be declared president : “The winning candidate must secure the majority of the vote and at least 25% of the vote in two thirds of the states.”

Not the person to win most of the states; the only candidate with this spread so far (cutting across North and South) is Tinubu

Others are regional candidates

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday in Yobe State declared presidential results in six local government areas.

They are Gujba, Gulani, Damaturu, Tarmuwa, karasuwa and Machina.

The Collation Officer, Prof. Umaru Pate announced the results at the INEC presidential collation centre in Damaturu, the capital.

Pate is the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere in Gombe State.

The results:

Tarmuwa LGA

APC-4416

ADP- 32

PDP- 4178

LP- 7

NNPP- 118

Gujba LGA

APC- 6643

ADC- 56

PDP-8204

LP- 25

NNPP- 217

Guanine LGA

APC- 7995

ADP- 59

PDP-8646

LP- 06

NNPP- 767

Damaturu LGA

APC- 7306

ADP- 84

PDP-16649

LP- 769

NNPP- 553

Machina LGA

APC- 8067

ADP- 78

PDP-3501

LP- 31

NNPP- 797

Nangere LGA

APC- 8060

ADP- 65

PDP-15813

LP- 147

NNPP- 464