Macron backs Nigeria, calls for global action as security crisis deepens

French President Emmanuel Macron has reaffirmed France’s commitment to strengthening security cooperation with Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country battles worsening violence and terrorism in its northern region.

In a statement posted on X on Sunday, Macron disclosed that he had spoken with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assuring him of France’s readiness to scale up support as Nigeria confronts rising attacks, mass abductions, and expanding extremist networks.

Macron said France would intensify collaboration with Nigerian authorities and increase humanitarian assistance to communities devastated by insecurity. He also urged global partners to stop watching from the sidelines, insisting that the magnitude of Nigeria’s crisis demands collective engagement.

“I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North,” the French leader posted.

“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator.”

His remarks come at a time when Nigeria’s internal security situation is drawing international attention, especially following repeated claims by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Christian communities in the country are under severe threat.

Trump has alleged that attacks on Christians are escalating, describing the situation as one of the gravest global concerns. Weeks earlier, he posted on his Truth Social platform that he had directed the U.S. War Department to prepare for “possible action” in Nigeria, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect vulnerable groups.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump wrote.

He added: “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”

Trump’s comments have sparked diplomatic discussions across the continent, even as President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency last month, with expanded military deployment and accelerated recruitment into the armed forces and police