The Chief of Defence Staff of Nigeria, General Olufemi Oluyede, has rejected claims of Christian persecution in the country, stating that Nigeria’s primary challenge remains terrorism, not religion-based attacks.
Speaking to journalists on Monday in Abuja, General Oluyede responded to recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, who alleged that Islamic terrorists were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
“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,” Oluyede said.
The Defence Chief explained that the Nigerian Armed Forces are working tirelessly to combat terrorism and restore stability. He noted that President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms in the security architecture have enhanced the country’s operational strength.
“You will recall that just last week, the President recalibrated the security system by appointing officers of proven integrity who are seasoned in asymmetric warfare to boost our operations,” he stated.
General Oluyede assured Nigerians that the military would intensify efforts to eliminate terrorism and other criminal activities across the country.
“We’re going to add more to what we’re doing, add more impetus to our operations, and ensure that we checkmate this act of terrorism within Nigeria,” he affirmed.
He emphasized that terrorism is a global problem, not unique to Nigeria, and called for more international collaboration to address it.
“There are several countries that are challenged in that respect, and it calls for collective effort. So if we have countries out there who are ready to support Nigeria, we are ready to have them on board to help us checkmate the act of terrorism within our space,” he added.
General Oluyede’s statement followed a meeting of Nigeria’s security chiefs after Trump’s controversial post on his Truth Social account, where the U.S. leader threatened to cut aid and possibly use military force over alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria.
“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 triggered global reactions, with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu reiterating that Nigeria remains a secular state that guarantees freedom of religion.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), President Tinubu stated: “Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty. Our administration has maintained open engagement with Christian and Muslim leaders alike while addressing security challenges affecting citizens across faiths.”
Tinubu rejected foreign portrayals of Nigeria as religiously intolerant, saying such narratives do not reflect the nation’s reality or diversity.
“The characterisation 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 affirmed.
He reaffirmed that religious tolerance remains a key part of Nigeria’s identity and pledged to continue collaborating with the United States and other partners to promote peace and understanding.
