In an interview with reporters on Monday in Abuja, Oluyede refuted US President Donald Trump’s assertion that Islamic terrorists were killing and targeting Christians.
“There are no Christians being persecuted in Nigeria,” he declared. Nigeria has been dealing with insecurity, particularly terrorism, for a considerable amount of time.
The head of defense highlighted that the Armed Forces have been fighting terrorism and enhancing national security nonstop.
He claims that President Bola Tinubu’s recent attempts to reorganize the country’s security system are already bolstering operations.
He stated, “You will remember 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.”
Nigerians were reassured by Oluyede that the military will step up its efforts to combat terrorists and other criminal elements around the nation.
He continued, “We’re going to increase what we’re doing, give our operations more momentum, and make sure that we checkmate this act of terrorism within Nigeria.”
The CDS stated that terrorism is a worldwide problem that calls for international cooperation, pointing out that it is not exclusive to Nigeria.
“There are a number of nations that face challenges in that regard, which necessitates teamwork. Therefore, we are prepared to enlist the assistance of nations that are willing to back Nigeria in order to prevent acts of terrorism within our borders,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians and foreign allies to keep supporting the nation’s counterterrorism initiatives while reiterating the military’s dedication to bringing peace and stability back to the entire country.
Oluyede’s remarks came after the National Security Advisor and the service met in response to Trump’s contentious post on his Truth Social platform last Saturday.
He said that Christians were being targeted in Nigeria and threatened to “go in guns blazing” if the alleged atrocities went on.
Trump had declared, “The USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ if the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
President Tinubu issued an official statement reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and religious freedom in response to the remark, which drew harsh condemnation.
Tinubu emphasized in a post on his X handle that his administration actively engages with leaders of all faiths to promote peace and security, adding that the Nigerian Constitution provides freedom of religion.
He declared, “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.” He continued, “Since 2023, our administration has maintained an open and active engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions.”
Foreign narratives that depict Nigeria as religiously intolerant were rejected by Tinubu, who called them false and unrepresentative of the country’s unity and diversity.
He declared, “The portrayal of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians.”
The President reiterated Nigeria’s position, stating that religious tolerance “has been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.”
In order to promote mutual understanding and safeguard communities of all religions, he further promised to keep collaborating with the US and other international allies.
