Fatimah Otunsanya
Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has criticised US President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy military forces to Nigeria, describing the comments as showing a lack of understanding of the country’s complex security challenges.
Soyinka made the remarks on Friday after meeting Benue state Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi.
The Nobel laureate noted that no foreign leader can simply intervene in Nigeria’s security challenges without a proper understanding of the complexities involved.
He criticised Trump for suggesting he would “come to help” the country without a careful analysis of the situation.
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,’” Soyinka said.
He added that such declarations, particularly those promising swift and forceful action, were deeply problematic.
“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 had previously said that Nigeria’s persistent security challenges are not rooted in religion but in the activities of violent extremists who exploit faith for political and economic gain.
Soyinka also stressed that while governments must protect citizens, victims of attacks deserve respect.
“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 declared Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” on October 31 over alleged killings of Christians and threatened to send U.S. forces into the country if attacks continued.
President Bola Tinubu dismissed the claim, saying it “does not reflect our national reality.”
On Thursday, lawmakers, religious leaders, US Department officials, and witnesses expressed divided views during an open hearing by the United States House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa regarding Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”