President Donald Trump’s threat to send troops to Nigeria over rising killings is a humiliating reminder that our leaders must act, not because the United States said so, but because the Nigerian military is capable of protecting citizens.
Development Diaries reports that the U.S. President has ordered his military to prepare for action in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militant groups, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians.
Trump made the remarks following claims of a genocide against Christians in Nigeria. Meanwhile, there is no evidence to suggest that Christians are being killed more than Muslims in Nigeria, which is roughly evenly divided between followers of the two religions.
While President Bola Tinubu’s administration has rejected the claim, the situation has revealed deep divisions over Nigeria’s sovereignty, security problems, and growing religious tensions.
It is important to state that Nigeria’s military remains capable of addressing the nation’s security challenges, but its effectiveness continues to be undermined.
The Nigerian Armed Forces have demonstrated resilience and courage in combating insurgency, but without consistent government support, improved welfare, and modern equipment, their efforts cannot yield lasting peace.
For too long, incessant killings of innocent Nigerians have been allowed to fester under successive administrations, eroding public confidence and exposing leadership gaps.
The escalation of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and religiously motivated violence reflects the failure of governance at multiple levels.
That Nigeria has become a subject of global concern shows how deeply these security issues have severely impacted its image. Now, the Tinubu administration must recognise that this moment is not about defending pride but about restoring control and reassuring citizens of their safety as constitutionally provided for.
And come to think of it, Nigerians are divided on this development, with many condemning the U.S. invasion threat, while others welcome it as a form of pressure on the government. This is not good for the country, as whatever Nigeria’s internal problems, unity remains essential.
In reacting to these developments, Nigerians must also remember that the UN Charter, to which Nigeria is a signatory, is founded on the principle of the sovereign equality of all member states, meaning that every country, regardless of size or power, has the same rights and respect under international law.
This explains why Nigerians must defend their sovereignty with unity and caution.
We must remember that no foreign power will protect our interests better than ourselves. Even as we hold our leaders accountable, we must also reject divisive rhetoric and work collectively to preserve national sovereignty and peace.
For the government, it must now see this as a moment of truth. Trump’s warning exposes the global visibility of Nigeria’s internal failures, failures that have been allowed to spiral because of slow responses and fragmented policies.
Nigeria needs stronger intelligence networks, more efficient coordination among security agencies, and a renewed focus on tackling the socio-economic roots of violence.
It must also demonstrate transparency and fairness in addressing religious and ethnic grievances that fuel mistrust. This is why, as the Commander-in-Chief, President Tinubu must take the lead in ensuring that the Nigerian military and all security agencies work with renewed vigour to end the spate of attacks and killings across the country.
Photo source: Nigerian Army
