Trump is right, Nigeria does need support from its allies

Over the years, I have testified in Washington about the atrocities unfolding in Nigeria, including in my own Ondo state. On a personal level, I have felt compelled to open my home in order to help those in need, giving them shelter and protection while their government does nothing.

- By ADEWOLE ADEBAYO

I remember saying goodbye to 14-year-old Hauwa as she left the safety of my compound as one of the toughest moments of my life. Her “crime” was attempting to worship peacefully at church, but still, I wondered if I would see her again and if she would even make it home safely.

When President Trump called for an end to the targeting of Christians by extremists earlier this week, he ignited a flurry of concern in Nigeria, in part driven by the government’s need to push back and try to cover up the situation.

The president is right to identify my country as one in urgent need of firm action to eliminate the insecurity which has plagued our people for decades and that still impedes our development.

Millions continue to suffer due to federal negligence and an unwillingness to request military assistance from allies, including the United States, to eliminate the radical Islamist threat primarily in our northern region.

The targeting of innocent Christian worshippers by radical groups is unacceptable and requires coordinated, targeted military intervention to get a grip on the issue. Such strikes must be supported if undertaken together with Nigerian security forces.

Action over rhetoric would be welcomed by millions of Nigerians, but boots on the ground cannot ever violate Nigerian sovereignty or comprise a “guns-a-blazing” approach.