Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise strengthening the nation’s security institutions rather than depending on foreign countries such as the United States to maintain peace and order.
Falana made the call on Thursday,
stressing that Nigeria must reorganise its internal systems and adequately equip its armed forces and police to effectively tackle growing security threats.
Drawing comparisons with other nations, the legal luminary pointed to the resilience of Iran in maintaining its sovereignty and urged Nigeria to adopt a similar approach by focusing on self-reliance in matters of national security.
According to him, no foreign power can guarantee law and order in another country if that nation fails to strengthen its own institutions.
“We must learn from Iran that unless you reorganise your own country and properly equip your armed forces and police, no imperialist country like America can guarantee law and order in your country,” Falana said.
He also referenced a 2025 Christmas Day incident in which former United States President, Donald Trump, reportedly announced an airstrike in Nigerian territory that targeted terrorists. Falana noted that the development was followed by a rise in terrorist activities across the country.
Falana therefore urged the Federal Government to urgently review its security strategies and invest more resources in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
His remarks come amid rising concerns over insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the persistent attacks linked to insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and other armed groups operating in parts of the country.
The senior lawyer emphasised that improving the capacity of Nigeria’s armed forces and police remains critical to effectively addressing the nation’s security challenges and protecting the lives of citizens.
