General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defense Staff, has denied reports of Christian persecution in the nation, maintaining that terrorism continues to be the nation’s greatest security threat.
Oluyede denied US President Donald Trump‘s assertion that Islamic terrorists were pursuing and murdering Christians in an interview with reporters in Abuja on Monday.
“No Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria,” he stated. Nigeria has been experiencing insecurity, particularly terrorism, for a considerable amount of time.
“The Armed Forces have been working tirelessly to combat terrorism and improve national security,” the defense chief added.
According to him, recent efforts by President Bola Tinubu to restructure the nation’s security system are 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 assured 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 added.
The CDS noted 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 reaffirmed the military’s commitment to restoring peace and stability nationwide, urging Nigerians and international partners to continue supporting the country’s counterterrorism efforts.
Oluyede’s comments followed a meeting between the National Security Adviser and the service after Trump’s controversial post on his Truth Social platform last Saturday.
He claimed Christians were being targeted in Nigeria and warned that the US might “go in guns blazing” if the killings allegedly continued.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’” Trump had said.
