Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson On Nigeria: ‘Bandits And Terrorists Must And Will Be Defeated’

Boris Johnson, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, has said bandits and terrorists in Nigeria would eventually be defeated.

Speaking at the 16th Anyiam-Osigwe lecture series titled "Rehumanising Human Experience: A Synopsis of Anyiam-Osigwe's Treaties" in Ikeja, Lagos on Monday, Johnson also noted that it is important for a country to be safe in order to flourish.

"The first and most important thing that makes a country thrive is that it has to be safe," he said, as per Vanguard. "You have got to have equality under the law because that is the foundation for freedom."

Johnson went on to say that the United Kingdom is "ever-ready" to help Nigeria, adding that the former also faced issues concerning terrorism in the past. However, he proudly shared that London is one of the safest cities in the world.

"I know some of the problems that are faced in this part of the country but I know that these bandits and terrorists must and will be defeated and eventually, law and order will prevail," he said. "I also want you to know that the U.K. stands ever-ready to help."

"We, in the U.K., have had our issues with terrorists in the past and I am proud to say that London is one of the safest cities in the world," he continued. "Whoever you are, you will receive the same scrutiny and protection in the U.K. and this is the most important thing. It is a precaution for economic growth."

Johnson further spoke about the importance of freedom, saying that the "right to choose those who govern you and the right to remove them from office" is called "democracy and it is precious and under attack the whole time."

During his speech, Johnson also touched on the topic of the Ukraine-Russia war, noting that he believes Ukrainians will win because Russian President Vladimir Putin "does not practice a democratic system and he surrounds himself with sycophants. He had no democratic checks and balances."

The former prime minister then drew a comparison between the populations of the U.K. and Nigeria and questioned politicians for not creating enough opportunities for the people.

"The U.K. has a population of about 66 million and Nigeria has over 200 million and still growing, how many of our people have reached their full potential?" he said. "The job of politicians is to create opportunities for people to reach their potential because not only is that morally right, but it is also the right way for the economy."

"What we are seeing in both our countries is a colossal waste of human potential and all my years as Mayor of London or British Prime Minister, it has been ways to unleash the talents," Johnson said further.