The Director General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has denied saying Nigerian leaders spend time negotiating with bandits instead of jailing them.

A message circulating on WhatsApp alleged that the former Minister of Finance made the statement following threats by US President Donald Trump to storm Nigeria if the country fails to stop the killing of Christians by Islamic terrorists.

The message reads: "Dr Ngozi Okonjiwuala. TRUMP DIDN'T "HIT" US - OUR LEADERS DID
This isn't about foreign insults. It's about failure at home. When leaders spend more time negotiating with bandits and turning killers into talking-head celebrities than putting them behind bars, you know the plan is broken - or there is no plan at all. We worshipped rhetoric; we rewarded impunity. Bandits are invited to table-talk and photo-ops while whole villages."

Reacting via X, Okonjo-Iweala dissociated herself from the message, vowing to take action against those behind it.

She said, "Beware, this story going around on WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook is false! We are taking action! The person who did this could not even spell my name. Whichever coward did this should write the message in their own name and not hide behind mine or anyone else’s!! Scammers and 419 ers stop!"

ASA