By Chidinma Nwaoji
SANs Fault Trump’s Threat of Military Action Against Nigeria
Senior Advocates of Nigeria have condemned the recent threat by United States President, Donald Trump, to deploy American troops to Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians, describing it as an illegal act and a violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty under international law.
Trump had on Friday designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians and, in a follow-up statement on Saturday, warned that the U.S. might stop all aid to Nigeria and intervene militarily to “wipe out Islamic terrorists.”
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country, guns-a-blazing,” Trump said.
Reacting, constitutional lawyer Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) stated that no country could lawfully deploy troops into another sovereign nation without consent.
“They can only move in with the consent of our government. If they do otherwise, it will amount to an act of aggression, which is a capital offence in international law,” Sagay said.
Similarly, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN) stressed that under international law, every state retains the right to independence and territorial control without external interference.
“In international law, each state has the fundamental right to independence and to exercise full legal power within its territory, free from external dictation,” Adedeji said.
He added that while international cooperation against terrorism was legitimate, any unilateral action by the U.S. would be unacceptable.
“The United States cannot just enter Nigeria to fight alleged cases of Christian genocide. Such action must be collaborative, not unilateral,” he stated.
Adedeji also refuted claims of ongoing “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, insisting, “Contrary to the reports, I don’t believe we have anything resembling Christian genocide in Nigeria.”
Read also: Trump Reignites Tensions, Labels Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’
However, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) described the alleged killings as disturbing and urged the Federal Government to act swiftly to prevent any external interference.
“If the killings continue and the Nigerian government fails to act, a stronger nation could step in. But such intervention must be invited, otherwise it becomes an invasion,” Ahamba warned.
Lagos-based lawyer Jiti Ogunye criticised Trump’s remarks as hypocritical, arguing that they contradict his “America First” ideology.
“This is the same Trump who campaigned for isolationism, discouraged foreign engagements, and imposed restrictive immigration policies. His sudden interest in Nigeria raises questions about his true motives,” Ogunye said.
He suggested that Trump’s comments might be driven by economic and strategic interests rather than humanitarian concern.
“It’s not far-fetched to think that such interventions could be a pretext to access Nigeria’s oil, lithium, and gold,” Ogunye added.
The lawyer also urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to focus on resolving internal security challenges, especially the farmer-herder conflicts in the Middle Belt.
“Tinubu must address the internal security crisis in Benue and Plateau. Ranching should replace open grazing, and all parties must respect state boundaries,” Ogunye advised.