The Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) has moved swiftly to quell anxiety among citizens following US President Donald Trump’s unprecedented threats of military intervention and aid suspension, with the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, asserting that the country is “calm and not in a state of panic.”
The Minister’s assurance, delivered on Thursday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, aims to stabilize the national mood and project an image of confident, measured leadership in the face of external pressure.
Minister Idris stated that while the threats are being taken “seriously and with depth,” the government is deploying a multi-pronged strategy focused on constructive engagement rather than escalating the rhetoric.
Minister Mohammed Idris: “The President is calm. The Federal Executive Council members are also calm. The government of Nigeria is really very stable. We prefer that this situation be solved diplomatically.”
He reiterated that the government is fully committed to tackling insecurity, noting that the fight against terrorism does not target any single religious group. Furthermore, Nigeria has formally activated diplomatic channels with Washington to correct the narrative that led to the “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) designation.
The government highlighted ongoing security successes, citing the neutralization of over 13,500 terrorists since May 2023, as proof that it is proactively working to secure all Nigerians, irrespective of faith.
The official response seeks to convey that Nigeria will continue to defend its sovereignty while remaining open to international cooperation based on mutual respect. The prevailing message is one of national unity and a steadfast focus on internal security improvements to remove the basis for such foreign criticism and threats.
