Falana argued that Nigeria possesses sufficient human and natural resources to secure itself, noting the country’s past peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other African states.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana on Wednesday addressed protesters during the nationwide demonstration led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), condemning rising insecurity, poverty, and what he described as the government’s failure to uphold its constitutional duty to protect Nigerians.
Speaking during the protest in Lagos, Falana said Nigerians across the country are “gripped by fear” due to escalating insecurity.
The lawyer stressed that the primary purpose of government, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, is the welfare and security of the people.
“We are gathered here this morning in solidarity with the Nigerian people, all our people all over the country, who are gripped by the state of insecurity,” Falana said.
“We are out today to demonstrate our resolve to pressure the government to take care of our security and welfare because it is stated clearly in the Constitution of Nigeria that the welfare and security of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
He warned against any attempt to justify insecurity through calls for foreign military intervention, recalling Nigeria’s historical resistance to foreign military bases.
“No matter the level of insecurity, we reject any so-called foreign invasion of our country,” Falana declared.
“In 1962, Nigerian youths fought against the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact. Since then, we have resisted attempts by France and the United States to establish military bases in Nigeria.”
Falana argued that Nigeria possesses sufficient human and natural resources to secure itself, noting the country’s past peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other African states.
“Nigeria has gone to Liberia and other countries to restore law and order. Therefore, we have the capacity to protect the lives and property of every person living in Nigeria,” he said.
As Nigeria approaches 2026, Falana said citizens no longer want to hear stories of rampant kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. He demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of alleged terrorism financiers.
“First, we demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of the 400 terrorism financiers who were arrested by the Buhari administration in 2021. The federal government has refused to try them, and this is unacceptable,” he said.
Falana also stressed that insecurity cannot be tackled through military means alone, insisting that social and economic justice must be addressed.
He criticised the Federal Government for failing to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal despite increased revenues, alleging that monthly allocations to the three tiers of government have risen significantly.
“This time around, we are telling the whole world that the government of Nigeria has been pressurised to take care of its people,” Falana said.
“Nigeria has done it in other countries. Nigeria has gone to Liberia, Sierra Leone and other places to restore law and order. Therefore, we have the human and natural resources to protect the life and property of every person living in Nigeria.”
He continued: “We also want to show today that enough is enough. As we move to 2026, we do not want to hear of cases of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism in our country.
“That is why we are demanding today the immediate arrest and prosecution of the over 400 terrorism financiers that were arrested by the Buhari administration in 2021. The Federal Government has refused to try them.”
Falana added that without addressing poverty and unemployment, insecurity would persist.
“We want to make the point that without addressing social and economic insecurity, you cannot solve the problem of physical insecurity. Without creating jobs for the youth, without addressing poverty, you cannot abolish insecurity in our country,” he said.
The senior lawyer further stated that the Federal Government itself has acknowledged that revenues have increased following the removal of fuel subsidy and improved crude oil production.
He said, “Since the government has agreed and repeatedly maintained that with the removal of fuel subsidy and improvement in the production of crude oil in our country, the money going into the Federation Account has increased phenomenally.
“As a matter of fact, whereas in May 2023 what the three tiers of government shared was about ₦5.6 trillion, today they are sharing more than ₦2 trillion per month.”
Falana demanded the immediate release of palliatives for workers, farmers, traders and other vulnerable Nigerians.
He said, “The government of Nigeria has enacted what is now called the National Social Investment Programme. Under that law, the government shall provide cash transfers to vulnerable people, implement empowerment programmes, and ensure the provision of at least one nutritious meal a day for all children in primary schools.
“These are existing laws, and we are simply demanding their implementation.”
He also called on state Houses of Assembly to ensure that welfare programmes are adequately funded in their budgets.
“We are simply asking the government to implement the laws of our country, welfare laws of the land,” Falana said.
“We are gathered here in front of the State House of Assembly because the governor has presented his budget. We are demanding from the House of Assembly proper provision for welfare programmes for our people. Let nobody deceive us that there is no money to take care of the security of our country.”
Falana alleged massive financial diversion within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), citing an audit report submitted to the Senate.
“Let nobody deceive us that there is no money to abolish poverty in our country,” he said.
“As we are gathered here, the Senate has been presented with a report by a firm of auditors showing that the sum of ₦210 trillion has been criminally diverted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. That report must not be swept under the carpet.”
Falana demanded the immediate recovery of the funds, insisting that the money should be paid into the Federation Account to address the country’s “immediate problems.”
“We are not manufacturing figures; we are taking these figures from official sources. It has also been disclosed that about ₦17.1 trillion has been spent on fuel subsidy and pipeline maintenance,” he added.
Retired Major General Danjuma Ali‑Keffi alleged in an interview with SaharaReporters that the Nigerian government failed to prosecute about 400 individuals who were arrested for allegedly financing terrorism, despite extensive investigations that exposed their involvement.
He alleged that many individuals were shielded from justice, undermining counter‑terrorism efforts