Muslim Leaders Reject Netanyahu’s Offer, Warn Against Foreign Meddling in Nigeria

Muslim Leaders Reject Netanyahu’s Offer, Warn Against Foreign Meddling in Nigeria

Some Muslim leaders in Nigeria have warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stay away from the country following his vow to join United States President Donald Trump in fighting alleged terrorist attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

Netanyahu, in a Christmas Day message to Christian Zionist supporters, said Israel would open a “new front” to protect 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 and provocative, arguing that Netanyahu has no moral standing to speak on terrorism.

MUSWEN’s Executive Secretary, Professor Wole Abbas, told Saturday Tribune that it was disturbing for a leader accused of atrocities against Palestinians to claim he wants to fight terrorism in Nigeria.

He said Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza were “almost worse than terrorism” and described him as a leader wanted by the International Criminal Court, adding that it was incomprehensible for such a figure to offer solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.

“He is engaging in genocide in Gaza and wants to help Nigeria. This is a criminal who should be arrested and prosecuted,” Abbas said.

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A former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, also dismissed Netanyahu’s declaration, warning against any form of foreign military intervention in Nigeria, including airstrikes against terrorist groups.

In a post on X, Ahmad said Nigeria does not need intervention from leaders facing genocide trials, stressing that such actions would amount to a violation of the country’s sovereignty.

“Nigeria welcomes legitimate international support, but certainly not from individuals standing trial before international courts,” he said.

Netanyahu had framed the proposed intervention as part of a global fight against radical Shiite groups linked to Iran and extremist Sunni movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood, warning that threats to Judeo-Christian communities were spreading to Africa.

Similarly, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Sokoto State, Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu, condemned Netanyahu’s statement, questioning the claim that Christians were being persecuted in Nigeria.

He said the Israeli leader should not misinterpret Nigeria’s silence as weakness, stressing that the country has enough internal challenges to manage without foreign interference.

Also reacting, a Sokoto-based Muslim leader, Mallam Umar Abubakar, alleged that Netanyahu’s interest in Nigeria was driven by the country’s mineral resources, not concern for security or religion.

He urged world leaders to support President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to tackle insecurity rather than making statements capable of fuelling religious conflict.

“The security situation in Nigeria is not religious. Mosques and churches are both attacked. What we need is genuine support, not divisive rhetoric,” Abubakar said.

Muslim Leaders Reject Netanyahu’s Offer, Warn Against Foreign Meddling in Nigeria