Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has maintained that Nigeria does not need foreign military intervention to defeat terrorism and banditry, insisting that the country’s armed forces are capable of winning the war if they are properly funded, equipped and motivated.

Falana also cautioned the Federal Government against allowing United States President Donald Trump to turn Nigeria’s security crisis into a religious conflict, warning that any such narrative could further divide the country.

Speaking with journalists in his hometown of Ilawe-Ekiti on Saturday, Falana expressed concern that armed groups operating across the country appear, judging by videos in circulation, to be better armed than Nigerian soldiers. He described the situation as embarrassing and blamed it largely on years of neglect and corruption within the security sector.

According to him, huge sums allocated for the purchase of weapons and ammunition were diverted by influential individuals, leaving troops on the frontlines ill-equipped to confront criminals.

“If members of the armed forces are adequately equipped and properly motivated, they can decisively tackle terrorism and banditry,” Falana said. “But because critical security institutions have been neglected for years, loosely organised criminal groups are gaining the upper hand. That is a national disgrace.”

The senior lawyer argued that corruption has gravely undermined Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts, questioning how the country can fight terrorism when funds meant for arms procurement are stolen by “well-known criminal elements.”

Drawing from his experience defending soldiers and officers charged under the Armed Forces Act, Falana said many personnel are willing and ready to prosecute the war against insurgency but are constrained by lack of equipment.

He cited several high-profile cases to illustrate his point, including one involving a former service chief accused of stealing ₦22.8 billion, who was discharged by a Federal High Court on technical grounds related to jurisdiction, despite being charged with money laundering.

Falana also referenced the case of a former governor accused of diverting ₦6.9 billion from the Office of the former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, noting that the suspect was recently freed without being made to open a defence.

According to him, other military officers and civilian collaborators allegedly involved in the diversion of about ₦200 billion meant for military hardware have similarly walked free, while soldiers continue to operate without adequate tools due to the looting of defence funds.

He called on the Federal Government to urgently establish a mechanism to recover all stolen funds earmarked for arms procurement and ensure the money is used strictly for its original purpose.

Falana stressed that securing Nigeria is solely the responsibility of the government under the constitution, insisting that no foreign country has the mandate to fight Nigeria’s battles.

“If you equip and motivate your armed forces, Nigeria can defeat terrorism and banditry without outside intervention,” he said. “There is no evidence that the government is incapable of securing the country. Nigerians know where the problems are, and we must compel the government to act in accordance with the law.”

Reacting to reports of a US airstrike in Sokoto and the Federal Government’s confirmation that it provided intelligence support for the operation, Falana warned against any attempt to frame Nigeria’s security challenges as religious persecution.

He said President Trump’s claim that the intervention was to protect Christians was dangerous and misleading, stressing that criminals involved in killings, kidnappings and ransom-taking do not discriminate based on religion.

“The fight against terror must not be used to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines,” he said.

Falana also noted that lasting security cannot be achieved without addressing underlying social issues, particularly rising youth unemployment. He warned that widespread joblessness could continue to push young people into crime if left unaddressed.

While calling for increased funding and proper equipping of the armed forces and police, he urged the government to pay equal attention to tackling unemployment, noting that social insecurity often fuels criminal behaviour.

Nigeria’s security situation worsened toward the end of last year, with a surge in bandit attacks, killings and kidnappings for ransom across several states.

President Trump, who described the situation as attacks against Christians, ordered airstrikes on a terrorist base in Sokoto on Christmas Day, an operation the Federal Government said was carried out with Nigerian intelligence support. The development has since sparked mixed reactions nationwide.