The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has dismissed allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria, insisting that the nation’s foremost security challenge remains terrorism, not religion-based attacks as claimed by United States President Donald Trump.
Addressing journalists on Monday in Abuja, General Oluyede said the Nigerian military has found no evidence of targeted persecution against Christians, stressing that insecurity in the country stems largely from terrorism, banditry, and criminality.
“There are no Christians being persecuted in Nigeria,” Oluyede stated. “What we are facing is insecurity, particularly terrorism, which has affected Nigerians across all faiths and regions for quite some time.”
He explained that the Armed Forces have been intensifying operations to neutralise terrorist groups and restore peace, noting that President Bola Tinubu’s recent restructuring of the national security architecture has further strengthened the counterterrorism campaign.
“Just last week, the President recalibrated the security structure, bringing in officers with proven experience in asymmetric warfare to give new energy to our operations,” he said.
Oluyede assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain their offensive against terrorists and other criminal elements, pledging renewed commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of faith.
“We’re going to increase our momentum and ensure that we eliminate terrorism within Nigeria’s borders,” he said.
The Defence chief described terrorism as a global challenge requiring international cooperation, urging foreign governments to support Nigeria’s ongoing fight against violent extremism.
“There are many countries facing similar threats, and it calls for collective effort,” he said. “Nigeria is open to collaboration with friendly nations to combat terrorism and strengthen regional stability.”
His comments came amid global attention following a controversial statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that Christians were being targeted in Nigeria and threatened to deploy American forces 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 had posted on Truth Social.
The statement sparked widespread backlash, with the Nigerian government rejecting the claims as baseless and potentially inflammatory.
Responding through his X handle, President Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria remains a secular democracy committed to religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said. “Since 2023, our administration has maintained active engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to address security challenges affecting all citizens.”
He described portrayals of Nigeria as a country divided by religion as “false and inconsistent with our national reality,” stressing that his government continues to safeguard the rights of all Nigerians regardless of faith.
“The notion that Nigeria is religiously intolerant does not reflect our collective identity,” he added. “Religious harmony remains a central part of our national values, and we will continue to work with our international partners to deepen understanding and promote peace.”
Tinubu reiterated that his administration would not tolerate misinformation that undermines the country’s unity or misrepresents its security situation, pledging to continue strengthening collaboration with the United States and other allies in tackling terrorism.
Leave a Reply