A former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Mike Ejiofor, has called on the Federal Government to treat with utmost seriousness the recent threat by United States President Donald Trump to take military action against Nigeria over alleged persecution and killings of Christians.

Ejiofor, who spoke during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, said the government must not dismiss Trump’s comments as mere political rhetoric but should instead deploy diplomatic measures to manage the situation.

“I think the Federal Government should take Donald Trump seriously,” Ejiofor said. “Nigeria must explore all available diplomatic channels to avoid any form of international misunderstanding or confrontation.”

President Trump had, last week, in a post on his Truth Social platform, accused the Nigerian government of allowing the mass killing of Christians and threatened to authorize military intervention.

He also announced that Nigeria had been reclassified as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) over alleged religious intolerance.

Ejiofor’s remarks come amid mounting reactions from both local and international quarters, with many analysts warning that Trump’s comments could strain diplomatic relations between Abuja and Washington if not properly handled.