SOME Muslim leaders in Nigeria on Friday asked the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, to steer clear of Nigeria following his recent vow to join United States President, Donald Trump, to fight terrorist attacks on Christians in Nigeria.

Netanyahu, in a Christmas Day message to Christian Zionist supporters, had said Israel would open a “new front” to protect Christians facing persecution in countries such as Nigeria, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey.

The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) told Saturday Tribune on Friday that it was an irony that Netanyahu, who it said is engaging in terrorism against Palestinians, is the one offering to fight terrorists in Nigeria.

MUSWEN’s Executive Secretary, Professor Wole Abbas, in a chat with Saturday Tribune, said: “Netanyahu’s statement that he would join President Trump of America in fighting terrorism in Nigeria is unfortunate.

“What he has done to Palestinians in Gaza is almost worse than terrorism. This is a person who has been declared wanted by the world court.

“He still engages in genocide in Gaza and wants to help solve same in Nigeria. I cannot understand what we are witnessing in the world now.

“Netanyahu is a criminal who should be arrested and prosecuted for genocide.”

Also, a former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, dismissed Netanyahu’s declaration that Israel would join the United States in supporting persecuted Christian communities in Nigeria.

Ahmad, writing on his X account on Friday, described any foreign military intervention in Nigeria’s security matters, including potential airstrikes against terrorist groups, as unnecessary and a violation of the nation’s sovereignty.

Netanyahu framed the move as part of a global fight against radical Shiite groups linked to Iran and extremist Sunni movements like the Muslim Brotherhood, warning that threats to Judeo-Christian communities were spreading to Africa and beyond.

Responding to the Israeli leader, Ahmad said: “Nigeria doesn’t need your help. We welcome legitimate support to tackle security challenges, but certainly not from individuals facing ongoing genocide trials before an international court.”

Ahmad’s remarks underscore growing calls within Nigeria for solutions to insecurity that respect the country’s sovereignty while relying on domestic and internationally sanctioned support.

In the same vein, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu, condemned the statement attributed to the Israeli Prime Minister claiming he would defend Christians in Nigeria.

Reacting to the statement, the PDP chieftain condemned it in its entirety, questioning the Israeli leader’s intention to defend Christians.

“I am sure he is not serious. Firstly, where are Christians being persecuted in Nigeria? Also, at what time did he become a Christian that he wants to defend their interests?

“It is a known fact that he is a Jew, and the difference between a Jew and a Christian is wider than the difference between a Christian and a Muslim.

“He should not take the silence of Nigeria for weakness. We have enough security challenges in the country; he should let the country focus on that,” Alhaji Aliyu added.

Also reacting, a Muslim leader in Sokoto, Mallam Umar Abubakar, said the Israeli Prime Minister is primarily after Nigeria’s mineral resources.

He called on the PM and other world leaders to support efforts by President Bola Tinubu in tackling insecurity, rather than using their words to provoke religious conflict.

According to him, “The PM has a hidden agenda behind his statement. What they are after is the mineral resources.

“They are only trying to create war among us so that they can penetrate us to exploit our resources. If they truly have the country’s interest at heart, they should talk to our President and see how they can support efforts to tackle the menace.

“The security situation in the country goes beyond religion. Just as attacks occur on churches, mosques are also targeted. We need their support to address insecurity, not to divide us further,” he added. (Sunday Tribune)