Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, says President Donald Trump’s comments on alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria and his threat of military action are an embarrassment to the country.
Falana spoke on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he blamed the situation on the federal government’s failure to address worsening insecurity, including kidnapping for ransom.
“Why have we brought this embarrassment to ourselves as a people that we are being treated as a neocolony of the United States of America?” he asked.
“We cannot even challenge Mr Trump — ‘How dare you? Where is this hypocrisy coming from?’”
Last week, Trump declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern over what he described as the “mass slaughter of Christians”.
He later warned of possible US military action if authorities fail to act, noting on his Truth Social page: “If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet… The Nigerian government better move fast!”
The U.S. president’s remarks have sparked widespread reactions, with the federal government dismissing the allegations.
Falana said the situation should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerian authorities to intensify efforts against insurgency and violent crime.
“For us as a people and for the government of Nigeria, we must now take Mr Trump’s warning as a wake-up call.
“I can see evidence that the government is now giving information to the public and the international community on efforts being made to wage a counter-insurgency operation. We are now being told how many people are being taken to court,” he said.
