Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno central, has called on the federal government to engage seasoned diplomats to defend Nigeria’s image following President Donald Trump’s designation as a “country of particular concern.”

Trump had, in a post shared on his Truth Social account and the White House’s X handle, on Friday, claimed that Christians were being massacred in Nigeria, describing the situation as a genocide.

In a statement on Saturday, Ndume said diplomats should be engaged to help defend Nigeria’s image on the global stage.

“Before things get out of hand, Nigeria should engage seasoned diplomats like Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Babagana Kingibe, Professor Sulu Gambari, and Amina Mohammed in the United Nations,” he said.

“They should also engage the American embassy in Nigeria because they have the facts.

“We can change the narrative by ensuring that we aren’t tagged ‘country of particular concern,’ but ‘country of special concern,’ so that they can give us all the support, including arms and ammunition, to effectively contain terrorists.