The Nigerian presidency has stated that President Bola Tinubu is “well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America.”
According to the presidency, Tinubu had already set a clear tone for decisive action and accountability during his meeting with the new service chiefs on Thursday. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga made the remark on his official X handle, noting that Tinubu’s comments to the service chiefs reflected his readiness to confront both internal and external challenges.
“President Bola Tinubu was well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America as he told the new service chiefs on Thursday what Nigerians expect of them. No more excuses, he said,” Onanuga wrote.
In his address to the military leaders, President Tinubu outlined his expectations and Nigeria’s security priorities, saying:
“Security threats are constantly evolving and mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.”
“I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses. I charge you also to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer. I wish you success as you take up the challenge. I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done.”
Onanuga’s statement comes amid heightened political attention on international narratives about Nigeria’s security and governance, asserting that the President remains focused and strategically prepared for unfolding global developments.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier threatened to deploy military forces into Nigeria if the country’s leadership failed to stop what he described as “genocide against Christians.”
According to Trump, the United States military might come “guns-blazing” into Nigeria.
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump said.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians,” he added.
On Friday, Trump also announced that, in response to claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, he had redesignated the country as a “Country of Particular Concern.” He made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, writing:
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ — but that is the least of it.”
Trump further stated that he had directed Representatives Riley Moore of West Virginia, Tom Cole of Oklahoma, and members of the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the situation and report back to him.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries,” Trump said. “We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world.”
In response, the Nigerian government, through President Bola Tinubu, rejected claims of religious intolerance in the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees religious freedom and that his administration remains committed to ensuring equality for all faiths across the nation.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said.
He noted that since taking office in 2023, his administration has maintained active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders while working to address security challenges affecting all Nigerians, regardless of their religious affiliation.
