Fani-Kayode calls for zero tolerance against terrorism in Nigeria

Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, on Tuesday, called for decisive action against terrorists, insisting that those who take the lives of innocent civilians have no right to life.

Speaking at the Akure NBA Law Week, themed “Nigeria: Quest for a Utilitarian Judiciary and Roles for Stakeholders,” Fani-Kayode emphasized that Nigeria must defend itself against both internal and external threats.

According to him, individuals and groups responsible for mass killings, including terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Al-Shabaab, must be eliminated, crushed, and destroyed without negotiation or compromise.

Fani-Kayode also criticized foreign powers, including the United States and Israel, accusing them of sponsoring global terrorism and destabilizing nations like Nigeria.

He specifically accused leaders such as Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu of committing genocide in Gaza and other regions while attempting to label Nigeria as a violator of human rights.

ALSO READ:Deliberate industrialisation, economic empowerment to secure citizens’ lives— Gov Inuwa

Fani-Kayode, who came down heavily on former U.S. President Donald Trump, called on the Federal Government to crush terrorists “quickly and decisively” in order to restore peace and unity to Nigeria.

He accused Trump of “psychotic delusions and dangerous motives,” warning that his threats of military action against Nigeria were “disingenuous, self-serving, and rooted in greed and racial hatred.”

He alleged that Trump’s real plan was to carve up and control Nigeria by exploiting its mineral wealth, adding that “the objective is not to bring peace and harmony between Nigerians.

“The objective is to divide Nigeria and create a scenario for regime change. But we are courageous enough to call them out. Trump’s intention is not to save Christians in Nigeria.

“His goal is to divide us, ignite a religious war, and occupy our land under the false guise of humanitarian concern. Make no mistake, his objective is to pillage our gold, lithium, oil, and natural gas, just as they did in other parts of the world.”

ALSO READ: Speaker Tajudeen ends plenary abruptly as Reps session turns rowdy

He urged Nigerians to rise above religious and ethnic divides, stressing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism. He emphasized that the violence in Nigeria was not purely religious, pointing out that Muslims, as well as Christians, had suffered horrific attacks.

He said, “Christians and Muslims have both been killed by the same terrorist organizations. We will come together collectively to oppose them and fight in every arena possible. We have the capacity, and we must prove that Nigeria is stronger today than ever before.”

Fani-Kayode further asserted that foreign actors have long sought to weaken Nigeria, citing past predictions by the U.S. State Department that the country would break up by 2015.

He praised current economic and legal reforms as steps toward strengthening the nation and urged Nigerians to continue supporting policies that promote national growth and unity.

“Once we acknowledge the challenges, we know we only have ourselves. We must work together as a nation, as a people—Christians, Muslims, Northerners, and Southerners—and prove that Nigeria is the pride of Africa,” he concluded.

Speaking on Nigeria’s internal security crisis, Fani-Kayode urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate total political will to eradicate all terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, bandits, and their financiers.

He said, “We must eliminate every single terrorist and those sponsoring them in Nigeria. I do not believe in dialogue with them, in forgiving them, or in rehabilitating them into the armed forces. I believe in crushing them and sending them to their maker.”

He described the insurgents as “demons and vampires who have no place in the land of the living,” warning that the government must not “pamper or negotiate” with killers.

He declared, “The Nigerian people are baying for the blood of these terrorists. They must see it flow into an ocean of divine retribution.”

The former minister commended the Tinubu administration for what he called notable progress against insurgents, saying Nigeria must respond to its security challenges without allowing itself to be manipulated by foreign powers.

“To be fair, more terrorists have been killed in the past two years than in the previous eight. But we must go further. This evil must be wiped out completely.

“We are all victims today. The terrorists butcher Muslims and Christians alike, and that is the painful truth many refuse to see.

“We are not a nation of slaves and beggars. We are 250 million strong. We are not small or weak. We will not bow to bullies or be intimidated by any foreign power. I would rather die on my feet as a free man than live on my knees as a slave. We must bow to God—not to Trump, not to terror, and not to fear.”

Declaring the Law Week open, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, called on all legal stakeholders to ensure a judiciary that is not only legally sound but socially beneficial.

Speaking on the theme “Nigeria: Quest for a Utilitarian Judiciary and Roles for Stakeholders,” Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, hailed the Bar for promoting intellectual discourse and professional excellence.

While outlining stakeholder roles, he said, “The Bench must uphold integrity and impartiality; the Bar must mentor young lawyers and maintain ethical advocacy; the Executive should protect judicial independence and provide infrastructure; the Legislature must strengthen justice through relevant laws; and citizens must respect the rule of law.”

Highlighting Ondo State’s reforms under Governor Aiyedatiwa, which include digitalization and investment in court infrastructure, he urged lawyers to remain “the conscience of the nation and guardians of truth.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE