The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has said Nigeria’s main security challenge remains terrorism and not Christian persecution contrary to the claim by US President Donald Trump that Islamic terrorists were targeting and killing Christians.
General Oluyede made the clarification on Monday in Abuja, to dismiss Trump’s allegations against Nigeria that Islamic terrorists were targeting and killing Christians.
Oluyede spoke after a meeting between the National Security Adviser and the service after Trump’s controversial post on his Truth Social platform last Saturday.
He said, “There are no Christians being persecuted in Nigeria. We are facing insecurity, especially terrorism, and it’s something that has been affecting Nigeria for quite some time now.”
According to the CDS, Nigeria security agencies have been working relentlessly to combat terrorism and improve national security, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s recent restructure of the nation’s security system was already strengthening operations.
“You will recall that just last week, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, recalibrated the security architecture by bringing on board officers of proven integrity who are seasoned in asymmetric warfare to add impetus to our operations,” he said.
Oluyede told Nigerians that the military would intensify its campaigns against terrorists and other criminal elements across the country.
“We’re going to add more to what we’re doing, add more impetus to our operations, and ensure that we checkmate this act of terrorism within Nigeria,” he said, adding that terrorism is not peculiar to Nigeria, describing it as a global issue that requires international cooperation.
“There are several countries that are challenged in that respect, and it calls for collective effort. So if we have countries out there who are ready to support Nigeria, we are ready to have them on board to help us checkmate the act of terrorism within our space,” he said.
He said the military was committed to restoring peace and stability nationwide, urging Nigerians and international partners to continue supporting the country’s counterterrorism efforts.
