Former Senator Kabiru Marafa has thrown his full weight behind former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat of possible military action in Nigeria, arguing that the tough stance could compel the Nigerian government to take more decisive steps against worsening insecurity.
Marafa, who represented Zamfara Central between 2011 and 2019, made the remarks on Wednesday while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
“I strongly support the President of America, Donald Trump, for issuing that threat,” he said, dismissing criticisms from Nigerians who condemned Trump’s comments as an attack on the nation’s sovereignty.
He stressed that although he values patriotism and national sovereignty, they become meaningless when citizens are being killed.
“I differ with a lot of Nigerians because most Nigerians look at it from the perspective of sovereignty, patriotism, which I subscribe to. But of what importance is sovereignty to a dead man?” he asked.
Marafa noted that Trump’s remarks have redirected global attention to Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly attacks on Christian communities.
Last month, Trump instructed the Pentagon to begin preparations for potential military action in Nigeria, accusing the Nigerian government of failing to address what he described as widespread persecution of Christians. He warned that the U.S. would halt all aid to Nigeria if the killings continued and said Washington “may very well go into that now disgraced country ‘guns-a-blazing’” to eliminate the terrorists responsible.
According to Trump, he has ordered the “Department of War” to prepare for possible action, promising any U.S. strike would be “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
Marafa believes the controversial statements have increased pressure on Abuja to respond more forcefully. “Trump’s comments have put the Nigerian government under pressure to act decisively,” he said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government has officially designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”, citing alleged violations of religious freedom and continued persecution of Christians.
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