By UbongAbasi Ise
If the United States eventually carries out military action against the terrorists attacking Christians in northern Nigeria, there are chances that the war effort may spread to the oil-rich South-South Nigeria, should Donald Trump’s government heed the advice of an American foreign affairs expert who is suggesting that there should be a U.S. military presence in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Dr. Walid Phares, identified as a Co-Secretary General of the Transatlantic Parliamentary Group on Counterterrorism, posted on his official X handle, advising the Trump administration to establish an emergency base in Port Harcourt to deter Boko Haram Jihadists and to stop their attacks against Christian communities and the moderate Muslims.
Phares maintained that the southern base would serve as a critical logistical hub, enabling the “rapid deployment of international humanitarian aid, particularly assistance from American churches.” Furthermore, he suggested the base would position the U.S. to consider “targeted strikes against jihadist forces.”
The expert’s recommendation comes with the context of previous White House action. Phares noted that President Donald Trump has already “issued two strong statements condemning the jihadist attacks on Nigerian Christian communities” and has directed the Secretary of War to prepare contingency plans for the “protection of communities” in Nigeria.
This planning is proposed to be a contingency measure should the Nigerian federal government “fail to stop the jihadists—as has been the case for years in northern and central Nigeria.”
