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Falana Warns FG: Equip Our Soldiers, Don’t Let Trump Stoke Religious Tension in Nigeria

Published by admin on January 4th, 2026.

Falana Warns FG: Equip Our Soldiers, Don’t Let Trump Stoke Religious Tension in Nigeria

Femi Falana

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has called on the Nigerian government to properly fund and equip the nation’s armed forces, insisting that they are fully capable of defeating terrorism and banditry without relying on foreign intervention. He also cautioned the government against allowing external powers, specifically former US President Donald Trump, to foment religious divisions in the country.

Speaking to journalists in his Ilawe Ekiti hometown on Saturday, Falana expressed concern over the visible disparity between the military and the terrorists, noting that insurgents appear better armed in some cases due to mismanagement of funds meant for security. He stressed the urgent need for mechanisms to recover stolen resources allocated for arms and ammunition.

“If our military personnel are properly motivated and equipped, they can decisively confront terrorism and banditry,” Falana said. “The problem lies in decades of neglect and corruption. Funds earmarked for critical security operations have been diverted by both civilian and military officials. Meanwhile, our soldiers lack the basic tools needed to perform their duties.”

Falana highlighted past cases where public officers misappropriated billions of naira intended for national security. He urged that recovered funds be redirected to properly equip the armed forces. He also emphasized that tackling terrorism is a constitutional responsibility of the Nigerian government, not foreign nations, warning that outside involvement should not be used to create religious or ethnic tensions.

Reacting to US airstrikes in Sokoto and the government’s support of the operation, Falana said, “The war against terror in Nigeria is not about religion. Terrorists do not discriminate between Christians or Muslims. Any attempt to frame this as a religious conflict, as Trump suggested, is dangerous and divisive.”

He further called for a holistic approach to national security, noting that youth unemployment contributes to criminal activity. “Providing jobs and opportunities for young people is as critical as funding the military. Idle hands are often drawn into criminality,” Falana said.

His warnings come as insecurity continues to escalate, with rising cases of bandit attacks, kidnappings, and killings in various parts of the country. The US intervention has drawn mixed reactions, with many questioning the motives behind foreign involvement in Nigeria’s domestic security matters.