Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), has advised the United States to adopt a cooperative approach in its dealings with Nigeria rather than resorting to threats or military action.

Buratai’s counsel comes on the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the former army chief dismissed the claim of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria as a dangerous misrepresentation of the country’s complex realities. He warned that acting on such distortions could endanger regional peace and stability.

“The current tension between the United States and Nigeria, fuelled by talk of foreign intervention, represents a perilous crossroads,” Buratai said. “This moment is fraught with the risk of catastrophic miscalculation, yet it also offers a chance to strengthen a mutually beneficial partnership.”

He stressed that the so-called “Christian genocide” narrative is a gross oversimplification of Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that any U.S. action based on such a claim would be a serious strategic error.

“For the United States, acting on this fallacy would be a profound misstep; for Nigeria, it poses an existential threat,” Buratai stated. “Both nations must rise above political grandstanding and focus on their shared interests in regional stability, peace, and sustainable development.”