Former Nigerian Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has called on the federal government under President Bola Tinubu to adopt stringent border control measures similar to those of former U.S. President Donald Trump, in response to escalating violence in Plateau State and across Nigeria. His appeal comes amid a spate of brutal attacks, including a recent massacre in Zilkke village, Bassa Local Government Area, where over 50 people were killed, many injured, and more than 40 homes destroyed.
Fani-Kayode asserted that these violent acts are orchestrated by foreign elements aiming to destabilize Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, he accused actors from North Africa, the Sahel region, and Western countries, including Israel, of sponsoring the attacks to foment division and civil strife within Nigeria. He emphasized that the violence indiscriminately targets both Christians and Muslims, northerners and southerners alike, with the intent to discredit the government and undermine national unity.
Highlighting the pattern of such attacks, Fani-Kayode drew parallels to similar violence preceding the 2015 elections, suggesting a deliberate strategy to prepare the ground for political upheaval in 2027. He urged the Nigerian government to seal the country’s borders to prevent the influx of these destabilizing foreign elements, advocating for the construction of detention facilities and the elimination of those involved in orchestrating the violence.
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has meanwhile called on residents of affected areas to remain vigilant and defend themselves amid the ongoing security challenges. The recent attacks in Plateau, including the deadly assault in Bokkos LGA that claimed over 80 lives just weeks earlier, have heightened fears of a worsening security crisis.
Fani-Kayode’s call to adopt a Trump-style approach reflects his broader critique of international interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs and his belief that external actors have long sought to manipulate Nigeria’s political landscape. He contends that only by taking firm, decisive action to secure Nigeria’s borders and root out foreign-sponsored violence can the country hope to maintain peace and stability.
He concluded with a hopeful message for unity, stating that Nigerians of all faiths and regions must stand together to confront these challenges and safeguard the nation’s democratic future.
This urgent appeal adds to growing national discourse on security and governance as Nigeria approaches its next general elections, underscoring the complex interplay of domestic and international factors shaping the country’s political and security environment.