Speaking to reporters on Monday in Abuja, Oluyede described former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that Islamic terrorists were targeting Christians in Nigeria as misleading and unreflective of the country’s security reality.
By Titilope Adako
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has rejected claims that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria, saying the country’s primary security challenge is terrorism, not religion-based attacks.
Speaking to reporters on Monday in Abuja, Oluyede described former U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that Islamic terrorists were targeting Christians in Nigeria as misleading and unreflective of the country’s security reality.
“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,” he said.
Oluyede highlighted ongoing military efforts to combat terrorism and other criminal activities, noting that recent security reforms by President Bola Tinubu had strengthened operations. “Last week, the President recalibrated the security system by bringing on board officers of proven integrity who are seasoned in asymmetric warfare to add impetus to our operations,” he explained.
He assured Nigerians that the military would intensify campaigns against terrorists and other criminal elements, urging citizens to support security agencies. “We’re going to add more to what we’re doing, ensure we checkmate acts of terrorism within Nigeria,” he said, adding that terrorism is a global challenge requiring international collaboration.
Oluyede’s comments came after Trump, in a post on Truth Social last Saturday, claimed Christians were being targeted in Nigeria and threatened U.S. intervention if the killings 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 wrote.
The comment drew sharp criticism from Nigerian officials and citizens, with many describing it as inflammatory. President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, peace, and religious freedom, stressing that the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.
“Since 2023, our administration has maintained active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges affecting all citizens,” he said.
Rejecting what he called “foreign narratives” portraying Nigeria as religiously intolerant, Tinubu emphasised the country’s diversity and unity.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” he said, adding that religious tolerance “has been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.”
In his closing remarks, Oluyede reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria defend all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity. “We are not fighting for any faith; we are fighting against terror,” he said, calling for global cooperation to defeat terrorism and ensure peace in Nigeria.
Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE
KoikiMedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep