No One Will Save Us but Us

By Afolabi Oloko

I checked the social media in the past few days and spotted on in pointing out the hypocrisy in some reactions to President Trump’s statement. It’s indeed puzzling why some are framing this as an attack on the Tinubu administration, given the country’s longstanding issues with insecurity and violence affecting various groups.

The fact remains that Nigeria’s security situation is dire, with Christians, Muslims, and other groups facing brutal attacks. The numbers are stark – 3,100 Nigerian Christians killed in the past year, out of 4,476 Christians murdered globally, making Nigeria the deadliest country for Christians.

However, Muslims are also being targeted, and the violence is not limited to one region or tribe or group in Nigeria, though it might be higher in some parts of the country than the others. The country’s problems are complex, and addressing them requires a proactive and inclusive approach from the government.

Rather than focusing on external validation or blame-shifting, the priority should be on stopping the killings and ensuring the safety of all Nigerians. The government’s response has been criticized as slow and ineffective, allowing impunity to thrive.

It is clear that a multifaceted solution is needed, addressing the root causes of violence, strengthening security and promoting tolerance and understanding among different groups.

What do you think are the most critical steps the Nigerian government can take to address these issues and ensure the safety of its citizens?

The government or the opposition should stop playing politics with people’s lives.
They must end the killings.
No external force will help us.
They will only cause more harm than good.