Trump's exploitation of persecution of Christians from Sokoto, Kano to Borno etc is laughable akin to France's theatrical support to Biafra 1967-1970 to strengthen
their dominance in West Africa. It doesn't change the fact that fanatics among the Hausa-Fulanis are really angry against igbos.
However Britain has divided and ruled Nigeria since the annexation of Lagos in 1861 is completely absent from this contemporary reporting. Britain was completely outnumbered in Nigeria, they could only rule if they split (just like in Kenya//Uganda/Tanzania, India/Pakistan/Bangladesh).
The ethnic contradictions in the majority of ancient British colonies are modern political constructions to dominate territories. Those are not essential African or Asian qualities. But there are unresolved conflicts, which are spurred by the fact that decolonization is going backwards economically.
It took just under six years for Nigeria to become independent to the narrow with the Nzeogwu's January 66 coup (which was spurred by oil interest internationally), then a counter coup in July came from Hausa Fulani officers and revenge on Igbos from Hausa-Fulani fanatics. One year later, it led to the Biafra war.
The breakout of the Republic of Biafra was met by a double play from Britain during the civil war (because wanting the region's oil regardless of the outcome of the war, supply weapons to the federal government but pleading against the genocide of Igbos), and France's exploitation of Biafra to strengthen their dominance of West Africa. Nothing is new now. The fact that people keep talking about Christians rather than Igbos and Muslims rather than Hausa-Fulani is saying something.
By constantly talking about Christians and Muslims, the conflict can be seen in terms of civilizations' struggle à la Huntington or the war on terror. Had we instead talked about Hausa, Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba, it would have been easier to see the centuries-deep ethnic cracks British colonialism has created. All this said without blaming for a second the vile modern religious sectarianism in Nigeria.
