Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has sounded the alarm, warning that Nigeria is “in serious trouble” following U.S. President Donald Trump’s explosive threat of military action against the country.
Based on reports, Falana said years of failed leadership, weak security response, and policy inconsistency have left Nigeria wide open to international ridicule and foreign threats.
“We are in trouble,” Falana declared. “Successive governments have ignored agreed solutions to our recurring problems — insecurity, banditry, and the herders–farmers conflict. Now we are paying the price.”
‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative Unchecked for Years
Falana cited political analyst Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, saying that the false narrative of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria — which Trump has seized upon — has been allowed to grow unchecked for nearly a decade because the Nigerian government failed to counter it.
“According to Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, this campaign has been going on for eight years without challenge,” Falana said. “People go to the U.S., spread this narrative, come back home, and our government says nothing.”
He added that this silence has emboldened foreign actors to speak and act as though Nigeria were a U.S. protectorate, lamenting:
“Why have we brought this embarrassment on ourselves — to be treated as a colony of the United States? We can’t even challenge Mr. Trump. How dare you? Where is this hypocrisy coming from?”
‘Cattle on Abuja Roads’ and the Failure of Policy
Falana blasted the government’s continued failure to implement long-agreed reforms to address farmer–herder clashes.
He reminded viewers that both northern and southern governors had agreed years ago to ban open grazing and establish modern ranches, yet nothing has changed.
“On my way to Abuja yesterday, I saw cattle roaming the airport road. Nigeria is the only country in the world where this happens,” Falana fumed.
“We all agreed that open grazing should end — so why is it still happening?”
He stressed that establishing ranches with enclosures, water, and planted grass would solve the problem while boosting food security and preventing conflict.
‘How Can a Modern State Allow Kidnappers to Thrive?’
The fiery lawyer also condemned Nigeria’s handling of the kidnapping epidemic, accusing authorities of turning a blind eye while families pay millions in ransom to criminal gangs.
“How can you have a modern state that allows criminal gangs to kidnap citizens and then leave families to look for money to pay ransom?” Falana asked.
“These bandits use the victims’ phones to call their families — and yet security agents do nothing.”
He argued that Nigeria’s security agencies have the technology to trace kidnappers, but lack the political will to act.
“Wherever a phone call is made, it can be traced. So why are we not using this to locate the criminals and rescue victims? As long as ransom-paying remains the norm, kidnapping will stay a lucrative business — and that’s why we’re in trouble.”
‘Nigeria Brought This on Itself’
Falana concluded that Nigeria’s current humiliation — with Trump threatening strikes over a false genocide narrative — is a direct consequence of internal decay and government negligence.
“Unless we fix our own house, outsiders will continue to insult and threaten us,” he warned.
“We have brought this embarrassment upon ourselves.”
