Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a video message that has since circulated widely on social media and messaging platforms, Ijaw ethnic activist and former militant leader Asari Dokubo delivered an impassioned address condemning what he described as the persecution of Muslims in Nigeria and globally, and directly criticising former United States President Donald Trump for what he characterised as rhetoric that fuels religious division.
Dokubo’s remarks touch on deeply felt issues of religious identity, global politics, and contemporary security narratives, placing faith and national pride at the forefront of his argument. The statement has drawn both support and criticism within Nigeria’s complex socio-religious landscape, where debates about extremism, foreign intervention and religious coexistence continue to be highly sensitive.
Dokubo, a controversial figure in Nigeria’s recent history and a former leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, asserted in his message that Muslims are being unfairly targeted and “persecuted” without cause. He accused Trump, a polarising figure in international politics, of turning “hatred of Islam into a weapon,” even as he predicted the continued global rise of the religion. This claim, though potent in its rhetoric, does not align with available evidence that suggests the assertion of systematic state-sponsored persecution of Muslims in Nigeria or elsewhere has not been substantiated by independent international human rights bodies.
Indeed, in recent months, former President Trump has made contentious statements regarding religious violence in Nigeria, focusing predominantly on attacks against Christian communities. In interviews and social media posts, he framed violence by armed groups in Nigeria as predominantly targeting Christians — a claim strongly disputed by Nigerian authorities and analysts who stress that extremist violence in the country affects people of all faiths, with many Muslim civilians among the victims of groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP). Nigerian officials have publicly rejected the narrative of religious persecution, arguing that violence in Nigeria has complex drivers including terrorism, banditry and communal conflict rather than a single religious motivation.
In his recorded message, Dokubo — who has in the past been outspoken on national and international issues — declared: “I am deeply pained by how Muslims are being persecuted in this country without having committed any crime, simply because they are Muslims. This is happening because of a foolish, ignorant leader called Donald Trump, who has turned hatred of Islam into a weapon, even though he knows and sees that Islam will continue to rise in the world.” This statement reflects a broader frustration among certain segments of Nigerian society who feel global geopolitical rhetoric sometimes unfairly conflates Islam with extremism.
Dokubo went on to emphasise his personal faith journey, noting that he was not born a Muslim but accepted Islam later in life, and pledging to remain steadfast in his beliefs. He stated that wherever he travels, he will openly identify as Muslim and will not deny his religion until his death. “Islam has never taught me to commit crimes,” he said, underscoring his attempt to counter narratives that blame Islam as a monolithic source of violence.
While the video has resonated with supporters who see Dokubo’s comments as a defense of religious dignity, it has also drawn scrutiny from observers concerned that such rhetoric may oversimplify the root causes of insecurity and inadvertently heighten sectarian sensitivities. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is roughly evenly divided between Christians and Muslims, with a delicate balance that has historically required careful handling by both political and religious leaders.
Analysts note that while extremist groups have exploited religious identities, the majority of violence in Nigeria stems from a mix of insurgent campaigns, illicit economies and communal tensions that do not exclusively target one religious group. For example, violence by Boko Haram and associated groups has devastated communities in the northeast for over a decade, resulting in widespread suffering among Muslims and Christians alike. The situation has been further complicated by banditry, kidnappings and clashes in central and northwestern states that transcend simple religious classifications.
The backdrop to Dokubo’s remarks includes recent high-profile commentary by Trump on Nigeria’s security situation. In an early January 2026 interview, Trump reiterated threats of further military action in Nigeria if violence against Christians continued, framing such violence as an “existential threat” to that faith community. Nigeria’s government responded by rejecting claims of targeted persecution and stressed that terrorism and violence afflict citizens of all faiths.
The controversy extends beyond rhetoric to policy implications. Trump’s public statements have included placing Nigeria on a Department of State list of “Countries of Particular Concern” for alleged religious freedom violations, a move that sparked diplomatic pushback from Abuja. Nigerian officials emphasised that the country’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that efforts to curb extremism are aimed at restoring peace and security for all Nigerians, irrespective of creed.
Domestically, Nigeria continues to grapple with how best to address security challenges while maintaining inter-religious harmony. Leaders from various faith communities have repeatedly called for unity and cooperation in confronting insurgent groups and criminal networks that imperil lives across religious lines. At the same time, civil society organisations and human rights advocates have urged political leaders, both within and outside Nigeria, to avoid inflammatory language that could inflame tensions or undermine the country’s pluralistic character.
Dokubo himself has a complex legacy. Once a militant leader advocating for resource control in the oil-rich Niger Delta, he later surrendered arms and transitioned into activism and public commentary. His views on national issues, including security, governance and international relations, are often polarising, drawing strong reactions from supporters and critics alike.
In issuing his most recent statement, Dokubo positioned himself not only as a defender of Muslim identity but also as a critic of what he perceives as foreign interference and mischaracterisation of African security dynamics. Whether his remarks will influence wider discourse remains uncertain, but they underscore the persistent sensitivities surrounding religion, identity and international engagement in Nigeria.
The Nigerian public, meanwhile, continues to navigate an environment in which violence, governance challenges and deep-rooted socio-economic pressures intersect. For many Nigerians, irrespective of faith, the priority remains achieving lasting peace, equitable development and the protection of human rights for all citizens. As dialogues continue both within the country and on international platforms, voices like Dokubo’s contribute to a broader conversation about how best to reconcile religious identity with national unity and global geopolitics.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments