Dr. Walid Phares Urges U.S. to Establish Emergency Base in Port Harcourt to Combat Boko Haram, Protect Nigerian Christians

Renowned Lebanese-American political advisor, scholar, and conservative commentator, Dr. Walid Phares, has called on the United States government to take decisive action in supporting Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and other jihadist groups.

In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Dr. Phares advised the Trump administration to establish an emergency base in Port Harcourt, the main port city of the Biafra region. He said such a move would help deter Boko Haram and other extremist groups responsible for the massacres of Christians and threats against moderate Muslims in Nigeria.

“To deter Boko Haram and other jihadist groups in Nigeria and to stop their massacres of Christians and threats against moderate Muslims, I advise the Trump administration to establish an emergency base in Port Harcourt, the main port city of the Biafra region,” he stated.

According to Phares, the proposed U.S. base would enable the rapid deployment of international humanitarian aid, particularly assistance from American churches and other relief organizations.

He further revealed that former U.S. President Donald Trump had already issued two strong statements condemning jihadist attacks on Nigerian Christian communities. Phares noted that Trump had also directed the Secretary of War to prepare contingency plans for the “protection of communities” in Nigeria should the federal government fail to curb the ongoing insurgency, a failure that has persisted for years in northern and central Nigeria.

Phares added that the option of targeted strikes against jihadist forces could also be considered as part of the broader strategy to protect vulnerable populations and restore security in the region.

The statement has since sparked discussions among political observers and human rights advocates, many of whom see the suggestion as a bold step toward strengthening international collaboration in the fight against terrorism in Africa.