Nigerian actor IK Ogbonna has challenged citizens criticizing United States President Donald Trump’s recent comments about violence against Christians in Nigeria, questioning why many oppose potential foreign military assistance.
Ogbonna shared his views on Instagram following Trump’s statement about deploying American forces to combat terrorist groups responsible for attacks on Christian communities. The actor asked a direct question to his followers: “Do we want the terror group gone or not?”
The entertainment figure argued that Nigeria’s efforts to defeat insurgency have proven unsuccessful despite years of military campaigns. He suggested that assistance from international allies represents a practical solution rather than a threat to national pride.
“As a sovereign nation, Nigeria has tried for years to win the war against insurgency to no avail,” Ogbonna wrote. He framed foreign intervention as a welcomed development given the persistent security challenges facing the country.
Trump’s remarks have sparked heated debate among Nigerians about sovereignty, the effectiveness of domestic security forces, and whether external military involvement would help or complicate the situation. Critics argue that accepting foreign troops undermines Nigeria’s independence and could establish problematic precedents for future interventions.
Supporters of Trump’s position, including Ogbonna, contend that national pride should not prevent pragmatic solutions when civilian lives remain at risk. They point to the prolonged nature of conflicts involving Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed bandits operating across northern regions.
The Federal Government has not officially responded to Trump’s specific comments or indicated whether it would accept any form of direct American military deployment on Nigerian soil. Security analysts remain divided on whether such intervention would achieve sustainable results or merely shift the conflict’s dynamics.
Ogbonna’s statement reflects a growing frustration among some Nigerians with the pace of progress against violent extremism despite significant military expenditure and repeated government assurances.
Read what he wrote below 
