The Federal Government has opened diplomatic discussions with the United States following recent threats by former US President Donald Trump to launch a military strike on Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in an interview with Sky News, where he confirmed that diplomatic channels were being utilised to de-escalate tensions and clarify Nigeria’s position.

“Channels of communication have been opened. I can confirm that we are talking with them, and I think they are beginning to understand the situation better,” Mr. Idris said. “We believe that much of the information circulating results from a lack of proper understanding of the diversity and complexity of the issues we are dealing with.”

The minister dismissed reports that Nigeria had lost territory to Boko Haram terrorists, stressing that the war against insurgency was not a conventional one. He further alleged that certain US lobby groups were working in concert with a proscribed separatist organisation in Nigeria to misinform American authorities.

“Let me also state that we are seeing a direct connection between some US lobbyists and a proscribed terrorist organisation in Nigeria,” Mr. Idris said. “They have been engaging influential figures in the United States to lobby on their behalf and spread falsehoods.”

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s long-standing partnership with the US in combating terrorism and called for renewed collaboration.

“Yes, we have security challenges, but the United States has always supported Nigeria in tackling them. We are once again calling for partnership to help us bring lasting peace to our country,” he said.

Mr. Idris expressed concern over what he described as inaccurate statistics being circulated internationally, suggesting that the data underpinning claims of religious intolerance in Nigeria could not withstand scientific scrutiny.

“Some of these assumptions are based on data that cannot stand any scientific scrutiny,” he said, adding that Nigeria remains a multi-faith nation whose constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

His comments come after Mr. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social platform on 2 November, ordered the Pentagon to prepare possible military plans against Nigeria, claiming Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in the country.

“If Nigeria does not stem the killings, the United States will attack — and it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians,” Mr. Trump had written.

Two weeks later, while speaking aboard Air Force One, the former US President reiterated his threat, saying, “Could be, I envisage a lot of things,” when asked if he was considering deploying American troops or ordering air strikes.

The comments have provoked widespread reactions from political and diplomatic circles, with many describing them as reckless and unhelpful.