The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe, ANPE, has issued a strong appeal to European Union leaders to intervene and restrain United States President Donald Trump from escalating hostile policies or military action against Nigeria.
This urgent call was made in a statement released from Paris on Thursday, November 13, 2025. It comes directly after President Trump's threats of military intervention and his controversial redesignation of Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" over allegations of religious persecution.
Provocative Remarks Risk National Security
Dr. Livinus Chukwuemeka Nwosu, the President of ANPE, and the group's secretary, security expert Mrs. Aisha M. Bello, jointly condemned Trump's statements. They described the US President's words as "provocative and dangerous" and warned that they could have severe consequences.
The association fears that such rhetoric could inflame existing social tensions within Nigeria and, more alarmingly, embolden extremist groups operating in the country. They emphasized that Nigeria requires constructive international engagement and partnership, not coercion or threats from foreign powers.
ANPE Rejects Religious Narrative, Seeks EU Support
In their detailed statement, ANPE firmly rejected the framing of Nigeria's complex security challenges as a simple issue of religious persecution. The association highlighted that Nigeria's religious diversity is a source of national strength and cultural richness, not a cause for division.
"The lives of every Nigerian, regardless of faith or ethnicity, are sacred," ANPE declared. They pointed out that both Muslim and Christian communities have suffered immensely from terrorism and insurgency in the northern and central regions of the nation.
Instead of hostility, ANPE urged the European Union to bolster Nigeria's own counterterrorism initiatives. They proposed practical support in the form of arms supply, intelligence sharing, and joint training programmes, all while strictly respecting Nigeria's national sovereignty and avoiding direct interference in its domestic affairs.
Call for Diplomacy and Reassurance for Investors
The group characterized Trump's invasion threats as an unhelpful distraction that could potentially reverse the hard-won gains in regional peacebuilding and counterinsurgency efforts. They commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its focus on security, infrastructure, and energy development.
Furthermore, ANPE sought to reassure European investors, particularly in the vital oil and gas sector, of a secure and transparent regulatory environment under the current government. They expressed confidence that the EU, as a trusted partner, would prioritize diplomacy over division in addressing Nigeria's internal challenges.
