Femi Falana and Jibrin Ibrahim Raise Alarm Over U.S. Troops in Nigeria

Prominent Nigerian figures, rights lawyer Femi Falana and academic Jibrin Ibrahim, have expressed concern over the deployment of American military personnel in Nigeria. They argue that the presence of foreign troops could undermine the country’s sovereignty and stress that Nigeria’s armed forces are capable of confronting extremist groups independently.

The U.S. troops, numbering around 100, have been sent to provide training, technical support, and intelligence sharing. Nigerian authorities emphasize that the Americans are only in an advisory role, with the Nigerian military retaining full operational control over all security operations.

Critics warn that even advisory deployments of foreign forces can raise questions about national sovereignty, accountability, and the transparency of such partnerships. They insist that Nigeria should prioritize strengthening its own security institutions rather than relying on external support.

Supporters of the collaboration, however, argue that the foreign assistance could help Nigeria better tackle ongoing security challenges, particularly insurgencies that continue to threaten stability in several parts of the country. They believe that combined expertise may enhance the effectiveness of local forces in protecting citizens.