As tensions heighten over U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s recent threat to launch military action in Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians, a Nigerian activist from the Middle Belt region, Sani Usman Zakariyya, has appealed to the American leader to adopt a balanced, non-religious approach in addressing the country’s worsening insecurity.
In an open letter shared on Sunday and addressed directly to President Trump, Zakariyya — popularly known as “Man Utd Crown Prince” — urged the U.S. government not to frame Nigeria’s crisis through a religious lens, warning that selective intervention could further destabilize the country and inflame sectarian tensions.
“Dear Mr. President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, I pray my message finds you,” Zakariyya began.
“I urge you not to be selective based on religion in your proposed fight against insecurities in Nigeria. The whole nation is facing a deep security crisis. If insecurity is not stopped across all states, it will be difficult to stop attacks on any specific religion — we are all mixed together as a people.”
Zakariyya, who hails from Gwagwalada, Abuja, described the Middle Belt as a region of religious tolerance and coexistence, stressing that insecurity in Nigeria affects all citizens — Christians, Muslims, and traditional believers alike.
“What we need from you as president of a world power is to help us wipe off these inhumane terrorists that have crippled our country, irrespective of religion or background,” he wrote.
The activist also expressed skepticism about U.S. military intervention, warning that past American involvement in other nations — including Afghanistan, Libya, Vietnam, and Cambodia — had left behind destruction rather than stability.
“Many Nigerians and Africans are deeply concerned about your proposed fight against corruption and insecurity in Nigeria,” Zakariyya cautioned.
“Every place the American government touched ended in chaos and poverty. The United States bombs, destroys in solidarity, and walks away without rebuilding — meaning America has caused more harm to the world than it ever fixed.”
He accused Nigerian leaders of failing their people, saying successive administrations have been preoccupied with power struggles rather than governance, leaving citizens to fend for themselves amid growing violence and economic hardship.
“In Nigeria today, everyone is on his or her own, and no government from the federal down to local level is responsible for your life or livelihood,” he lamented. “Leaders who negotiate with bandits and Boko Haram for political power cannot be taken seriously — our safety is our utmost concern.”
In his conclusion, Zakariyya appealed to Trump to remove religion from his proposed military response, warning that framing Nigeria’s crisis as a Christian-versus-Muslim conflict could have serious geopolitical and interfaith consequences.
“It’s important you untag religion from your proposed fight. Let’s all unite against our common enemies — those who have seized the progress of the largest Black nation on earth,” he said.
“No religious leader in Nigeria is innocent. Many have sold our rights and freedoms alongside politicians for their selfish interests. I pray you take these points into urgent consideration and come up with solutions that truly benefit the poor masses.”
Zakariyya’s letter adds to a growing number of Nigerian voices urging restraint and diplomacy in response to Trump’s threats, following remarks by U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who accused “Fulani militias” of committing “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria.
The Nigerian government has since dismissed those claims as “false and misleading,” maintaining that religious freedom remains constitutionally guaranteed and that security challenges affect all Nigerians regardless of faith.