National security adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu on Monday held an emergency meeting with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump had directed preparations for possible military action in Nigeria.
The meeting, which took place at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja, focused on assessing the implications of President Trump’s remarks and coordinating a unified security response.
According to sources, discussions centred on intelligence reports and potential diplomatic consequences of Trump’s claim that the Nigerian government was not doing enough to protect Christians from extremist attacks.
Trump, speaking on Saturday, alleged that the U.S. military was being “prepared to act in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militancy,” a comment that has drawn concern in Abuja and among international observers.
Independent monitoring groups have noted that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from terrorism, banditry and communal violence in Nigeria, with no verified evidence of targeted persecution against any single faith.
Sources at the meeting said Mr Ribadu called for calm and reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of religion.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, director-general of the National Orientation Agency, said at a joint security press briefing that the NSA and top security chiefs would brief the media on the outcome of the meeting.
He dismissed Trump’s allegations as false and urged responsible media coverage of security issues.
He also said the Federal Government remained committed to fighting terrorism and promoting religious harmony.
Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, repeated his warning of possible U.S. military operations in Nigeria over alleged killings of Christians, saying he had directed the Pentagon to prepare a plan of action.
He claimed Christianity faced “an existential threat” in Nigeria and warned that U.S. intervention would be “fast, vicious, and sweet” if the government failed to stop the violence.
Presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala told AFP that Nigeria remained a partner of the United States in the global fight against terrorism.
“Nigeria welcomes U.S. support to fight terrorism as long as it respects our territorial integrity,” Bwala said.
He added that Trump’s comments might be aimed at prompting dialogue between both leaders.
Bwala also said President Bola Tinubu and Trump could meet soon to discuss shared security concerns and clarify issues surrounding faith-related violence.
Tinubu has previously dismissed claims that Christians are being targeted, maintaining that Nigeria’s religious tolerance remains intact.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality,” the president stated.
