By Theophilus Onojeghen
A legal practitioner, Dr. Tareri Avwomakpa, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accept and take advantage of the proposed intervention by former United States President Donald Trump to help Nigeria end insurgency, banditry, and religious extremism under the principle of humanitarian intervention.
Avwomakpa, in a letter addressed to President Tinubu and made available to journalists in Abuja, said the reported offer by Trump to deploy the US military against terrorist groups in Nigeria should be viewed as an opportunity to protect innocent lives rather than as interference in Nigeria’s sovereignty.
He explained that while Nigeria’s sovereignty is protected under the Constitution and international law, such sovereignty is “not absolute” when mass atrocities occur unchecked.
“There is a moral and legal duty under international law for any nation, including the United States, to intervene to prevent genocide or crimes against humanity where a host nation is unable or unwilling to do so,” Avwomakpa wrote.
The lawyer cited examples of past humanitarian interventions in Sierra Leone, Iraq, East Pakistan (Bangladesh) and Cambodia, noting that such actions have become part of “customary international law.”
Avwomakpa alleged that attacks by Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS, and other extremist groups have disproportionately targeted Christian communities across parts of Northern Nigeria, describing the situation as “an ongoing genocide.”
He listed several incidents, including the killing of over 200 persons in Yelwata, Benue State, in June 2025; the beheading of Rev. Lawan Adimi in Adamawa; the Owo Catholic Church attack in 2022; and the murder of several pastors and priests in Kogi, Niger, and Kaduna states.
“Statistics show that over 99 per cent of the killings by these Islamist groups are targeted at Christian-dominated areas,” he stated.
Avwomakpa accused government agents of complicity through alleged inaction and infiltration of the armed forces by so-called repentant terrorists. He also faulted the imposition of Sharia law in 12 northern states, describing it as a breach of Nigeria’s secular constitution.
“When security agents refuse to act while citizens are being massacred, the state becomes complicit. Nigeria cannot deny what is now an organised genocide,” he wrote.
The lawyer urged President Tinubu to welcome the proposed US support as a purely humanitarian effort and not a political ploy, adding that accepting such help would not amount to ceding sovereignty.
“President Trump only proposed targeting the killers and their sponsors, not overthrowing your government. All issues are subject to negotiation. This intervention should be seen as an opportunity to save lives,” he said.
Avwomakpa also reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration, expressing confidence that decisive action on insecurity would define the President’s legacy.
“Mr. President, posterity will judge you by how you handle the killings of Christians and other Nigerians under your watch,” he added.
