National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs Meets Over Trump’s Threat of Military Action Against Terrorists in Nigeria
Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), held a meeting with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja yesterday, in response to reports of a directive by U.S. President Donald Trump to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria.
A security Analyst, Zagazola Makama in a report on his X page revealed hat the emergency meeting, which began on Monday afternoon, was aimed at assessing the implications of Trump’s statement accusing the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militant groups.
Trump’s remarks, made late Saturday, alleged that the U.S. military was being prepared to “act in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militancy” a statement that has triggered widespread concern across diplomatic and security circles in Abuja.
According to Zagazola, the NSA convened the session to coordinate a unified national security response and review intelligence assessments on the potential fallout of the U.S. president’s pronouncement.
Ut was reported that Trump did not specify which killings he was referring to, though claims of a “genocide against Christians” in Nigeria have been circulating in some right-wing U.S. circles in recent months.
However, independent monitoring groups and analysts have noted that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism and banditry in the country, with no evidence of a targeted campaign against one faith.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be communicated through official channels from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
