Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, has condemned United States President Donald Trump’s threat to send military forces to Nigeria, describing the comments as a clear sign of misunderstanding the country’s complex security issues.
Soyinka spoke on Friday after meeting Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi, warning against any foreign intervention without a thorough understanding of Nigeria’s challenges.
“No foreign leader can simply intervene in Nigeria’s security challenges without a proper understanding of the complexities involved,” Soyinka said, criticising Trump’s suggestion that he would “come to help” the country without careful analysis.
“You don’t just open your mouth and say, ‘I’m coming to help you whether you like it or not… and I’m coming with violence from outside with poor, almost non-existent analysis of the complexities of where the problem is,’” he added.
He expressed concern about declarations that promise swift and forceful action.
“And you say, ‘I’m coming to help you, I’m coming with guns a-blazing’. And when we come in, ‘it’s going to be fast, vicious and swift’,” Soyinka said.
The Nobel laureate, who has previously argued that Nigeria’s security problems stem not from religion but from violent extremists exploiting faith for political and economic gain, also emphasised the need for respect toward victims.
“Is that the language of somebody whose head is correct? Any government has an obligation to ensure the welfare of its citizens. But, at least, have some respect for victims and those trying to find solutions to the unacceptable situation,” he said.
Trump had on October 31 designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged killings of Christians and warned of possible U.S. military intervention if attacks persisted.
President Bola Tinubu dismissed the claim, saying it “does not reflect our national reality.” Meanwhile, on Thursday, lawmakers, religious leaders, US officials, and witnesses offered divided opinions during an open hearing by the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa regarding Trump’s decision.
