Senior Nigerian Lawyers Tackle US Over Donald Trump's Military Threat Against Nigeria
- The United States of America stunningly announced that it is preparing for possible military action in Nigeria
- President Donald Trump warned of military action in Nigeria if the Bola Tinubu government failed to stop the alleged Christian genocide
- Reacting, Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) questioned Trump’s motives and the American leader's renewed interest in Nigeria
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over nine years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
Washington, USA - Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have faulted the threat by United States (US) President, Donald Trump, to deploy American troops to Nigeria over the alleged targeted killings of Christians.
As reported by The Punch on Monday, November 3, the senior lawyers said such a move would amount to an invasion and a violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty under international law.
Source: Getty Images
Trump has threatened to deploy US military forces to Nigeria if the alleged killing of Christians in the country is not stopped.
On Friday, October 31, he designated Nigeria a 'Country of Particular Concern' (CPC) over what he described as a “mass slaughter” of Christians, directing US lawmakers to investigate.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.”
By Saturday, November 1, the US President escalated his warning, ordering the Department of War to prepare for “possible action” and threatening to suspend all American aid to Nigeria if the attacks persisted.
Trump’s war talk met with objections
Reacting to the development, Adedayo Adedeji (SAN) underscored that under international law, every state retains the right to independence and territorial control without external interference.
Adedeji said:
“In international law, each state has the fundamental right to independence and to exercise full legal power within its territory, free from external dictation."
He added:
“The United States cannot just come into Nigeria to fight alleged cases of Christian genocide."
Source: Twitter
Similarly, constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), said any form of foreign military intervention without the consent of Nigeria’s government would be an “act of aggression.”
Sagay said:
“They can only move in with the consent of our government. They can’t move in by themselves. If they do, it will amount to an act of aggression, which is a capital offence in international law."
Read more on the US' threats to Nigeria here:
- Former APC ally speaks out as Donald Trump declares Nigeria "Country of Particular Concern"
- Nigeria on US watchlist: "Why Nigerians must blame Senate and Tinubu," Ndume spits fire
- Pastor Kumuyi finally speaks, clarifies statement linked to him after Donald Trump’s threat on Nigeria
US War Dept preparing for Nigeria intervention
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, had signalled readiness to take action over the alleged genocide in Nigeria, echoing a threat from Trump that stirred global concern.
In an X post, the US official said that the United States Department of War was preparing for action if Nigeria fails to protect its people, amid claims that Christians in the country were being targeted based on their beliefs.
Source: Legit.ng
