By Paul Ebi
Abuja, Nigeria – Former Senator Kabiru Marafa has publicly endorsed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial threat of possible military action in Nigeria, arguing that the warning could pressure the government to tackle the nation’s escalating security crisis.
Marafa, who served as the senator representing Zamfara Central between 2011 and 2019, made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“I strongly support the President of America, Donald Trump, for issuing that threat,” Marafa said, adding that he disagreed with Nigerians who condemned the comments as an infringement on national sovereignty.
“I differ with a lot of Nigerians because most look at it from the perspective of sovereignty and patriotism, which I subscribe to. But of what importance is sovereignty to a dead man?” he asked, emphasizing the urgency of protecting citizens’ lives.
Marafa argued that Trump’s remarks have refocused attention on Nigeria’s worsening security situation, particularly the attacks targeting Christians across the country.
Last month, Trump ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria, citing the government’s alleged failure to prevent persecution of Christians. In a social media post, he warned that the U.S. would “stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria” if the killings continued and suggested that Washington “may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”
Trump further stated that he had instructed the “Department of War to prepare for possible action,” describing any U.S. attack as “fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!”
Marafa said that while he respects the principle of sovereignty, the protection of lives must take precedence. “Trump’s comments have put the Nigerian government under pressure to act decisively,” he said.
The U.S. has also officially designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom and the persecution of Christians, further intensifying scrutiny on the federal government’s handling of the nation’s security challenges.
