Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and prominent human rights activist Femi Falana has voiced deep alarm over the rapidly deteriorating security situation across Nigeria, warning attendees at a major labour gathering that the country is currently in “serious trouble.”
Falana delivered his stark assessment on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Lagos. He emphasized that the gathering was taking place at a critical moment in Nigeria’s history—one marked by the unprecedented kidnapping of schoolchildren and the burning and attack of churches due to rising insecurity.
Beyond the domestic crisis, Falana warned that growing international calls for external military intervention pose serious risks to Nigeria’s sovereignty. He specifically condemned recent statements made by President Donald Trump, saying it was unacceptable for any world leader to threaten Nigeria.
The senior lawyer was equally critical of the general rhetoric surrounding foreign military involvement, particularly the U.S. political stance on protecting Christians globally, arguing that such claims were inconsistent with America’s actions in conflict zones. He questioned the sincerity of these foreign actors.
Falana questioned why foreign actors who claim to defend Christians abroad had failed to intervene in Nigerian states affected by religious violence if their intentions were truly genuine.
Falana insisted that Nigeria must avoid becoming entangled in prolonged foreign military engagements, citing America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan, the destabilization of Libya and others as a warning about the instability such interventions can create.
He reinforced his warning by referencing ongoing U.S. involvement in global conflicts, including support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza and alleged plans to intervene in Venezuela, presenting them as examples of destabilizing foreign interference.
Decrying the rising death toll from insecurity, Falana urged President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly to defend and protect citizens. He called on labour unions, civil society groups, and concerned Nigerians to be ready to mobilise and resist any further deterioration of the country’s security situation.
He concluded his address with a defiant message about national pride and sovereignty: “We want to let the world know that we are not a conquered people.”
