TRUMP'S DECLARATION A WAKE-UP CALL TO ADDRESS INSECURITY BY FG, INC By Daniel Abia P/Harcourt

[Abigail pereowei]

Against the discordant opinions that have trailed the recent statement by the United States President, Donald Trump to deploy troops to combat terrorists groups in Nigeria, the federal government has been urged to see the declaration as a wake-up call to do the needful.

President of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba in a short message to Vanguard on Thursday said that the designation of Nigeria as “a country of particular concern” by Trump should not be misinterpreted but seen as a clarion call on the Nigerian government to address the lingering malignant insecurity issues that has be-devilled the country.

Okaba’s position is coming on the backdrop of Trump’s repeated declaration on Wednesday in Washington that Christians were being killed in their thousands in Nigeria and other parts of the world, adding that he would not allow that to continue.

Trump had announced the possibility of deploying American special force to northern Nigeria to protect Christians against any threat from terrorists groups and end the era of genocidal killings in the country. The INC wants the federal government to hasten the process of ending insecurity in the country.

Prof Okaba said though Nigeria deserves respect in the comity of nations whose sovereignty should not be undermined by any country no matter how highly placed, he urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to speed up the process of ending insurgency and all forms of terrorism.

Speaking on the ongoing debate of alleged Christian genocide in some parts of northern Nigeria, Prof Okaba said “as the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), l align with the general sentiment of Nigerians who reject foreign intervention and uphold national sovereignty”.

Okaba however called on the Nigerian government to consider this window of international attention on Nigeria as a great opportunity to put things right particularly in the area of security of lives and property of the citizens irrespective of religious or political affiliations.

The INC President also emphasized on the need for dialogue between the federal government of Nigeria and the United States to proffer solution to the impending diplomatic impasse.

“Given the context, l emphasize the importance of dialogue and cooperation while ensuring the protection of Nigeria's interests and territorial integrity. The Nigerian government has already expressed willingness to work with the US in fighting terrorism, as long as it respects the country's sovereignty”.

To avoid kinetic confrontation with the United States therefore, “I suggest that Nigeria should prioritize strengthening its internal security measures and engaging in diplomatic efforts to address concerns about religious freedom and violence”, Okaba said.

Recall that on Sunday, President Trump had made it clear that he would not hesitate to send troops to Nigeria to wipe away the “Islamist Terrorists” group so that Christians in the country would be protected to practice their chosen religion without any threat or molestation.


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