Republican political operator and international security analyst Richard Hines has said that former US President Donald Trump may not have a full understanding of the complexities surrounding Nigeria’s security crisis, particularly the conflicts in the country’s Middle Belt region.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News from 3:35, Hines noted that while Trump’s concerns about religious persecution in Nigeria are genuine, the situation on the ground is far more complicated than many foreign observers realize. “I’ve been to Plateau State many times. I think Trump misses some of the details, I have been to Sokoto,” Hines said.
According to him, years of field experience in Nigeria have shown that the violence often described as religious conflict between Christians and Muslims is, in many cases, driven by competition over land, resources, and local power. He explained that these clashes are frequently worsened by weak governance, poverty, and lack of accountability.
Hines stressed that oversimplifying the crisis as a one-sided persecution narrative fails to acknowledge the suffering of all communities affected by the violence. “What’s happening in Plateau and other parts of the Middle Belt is a combination of factors, historical grievances, economic struggles, and political manipulation,” he observed.
The Republican strategist, who has been involved in advocacy on Africa-related issues in Washington, added that the United States government remains interested in helping Nigeria find lasting peace through policy dialogue, humanitarian assistance, and support for local peacebuilding initiatives. View, More,
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