The recent comments by President Donald Trump about sending US troops to Nigeria to protect Christians have sparked a mix of reactions. While we appreciate Trump’s concern about the unfortunate incidents that have plagued the nation, resulting in hundreds being killed and kidnapped, we cannot help but question the sincerity behind his words.
The Nigerian government has indeed lost track of reality, and its inability to rescue citizens has led to a state of self-help, with families negotiating with terrorists to secure the release of their loved ones. The payment of millions of naira in ransom only encourages more of this behavior. These are legitimate concerns that should raise eyebrows in Aso Rock.
However, Trump’s rhetoric seems to be a mixture of misinformation and disinformation, coupled with diplomatic hot air. We should not lose sight of the real issue at hand, which is insecurity. We welcome Trump’s concern, but we believe that addressing terrorism requires a multilateral approach, not unilateral military action.
I believe Nigeria’s security dilemma cannot be solved by “a wannabe” Messiah from abroad, through ‘bombs and guns’ alone but through cooperation and diplomatic engagement
The US unilateral military actions across the world have led to catastrophic humanitarian crises. Their drone targeted assassination program in Pakistan has resulted in the killing of hundreds of civilians. The US intervention in Libya led to the downfall of a thriving society, and their actions in Iraq, Syria, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Lebanon are testaments to their misadventures.
It is an illusion to believe that US military might can solve Nigeria’s security woes when it has been unable to address terrorist attacks in Chad and Niger Republic, despite having military bases in those Sahel nations. Nigeria requires assistance that goes beyond the sale of weapons. We need Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems that can feed the Nigerian military with real-time intelligence to better equip them to tackle these criminals.
Moreover, a US intervention would likely ignite a religious crisis, especially if Muslims are at the receiving end of the bombs. The rising death toll could engulf the nation in a religious war, which would be catastrophic for a polarized nation like Nigeria.
– Suleiman Lawal is a political analyst, geopolitics expert, human right activist and a social commentator.
Email: ernesthollowayernest@gmail.com
