The challenge is terrorism not Christian persecution, says Oluyede
Olufemi Oluyede, Nigeria’s newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has refuted allegations that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria, emphasising that the country’s principal security challenge remains terrorism.
Oluyede made the statement on Monday in Abuja while responding to remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had alleged that Islamic terrorists were systematically targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
“There are no Christians being persecuted in Nigeria. What we are dealing with is insecurity, especially terrorism, which has affected the country for quite some time,” Oluyede stated.
The Defence Chief maintained that the Nigerian Armed Forces remain fully committed to defeating terrorism and restoring security nationwide through renewed strategies and coordinated military operations.
He said that President Bola Tinubu’s recent overhaul of the country’s security structure has bolstered efforts to combat terrorist groups and other criminal elements operating in different parts of the country.
“You will recall that last week, the President and Commander-in-Chief recalibrated the security architecture by bringing on board officers of proven integrity who are seasoned in asymmetric warfare to add impetus to our operations,” Oluyede said.
According to him, the Nigerian military is intensifying its campaigns against terrorists in the North-East, bandits in the North-West, and violent gangs in the Middle Belt and South regions.
“We are going to strengthen what we are doing, add more impetus to our operations, and ensure that we checkmate acts of terrorism within Nigeria,” he pledged.
The CDS also acknowledged that terrorism is a global challenge that transcends national boundaries, adding that Nigeria is open to international partnerships in tackling the menace.
“There are several countries also challenged in that respect, and it calls for collective effort. If we have partners ready to support Nigeria, we will welcome them to help us address terrorism within our space,” Oluyede said.
He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to safeguarding national unity, restoring peace, and protecting all citizens irrespective of faith or ethnicity. “We are soldiers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not of any religion or region. Our duty is to defend all Nigerians,” he added.
Oluyede’s remarks came in response to a controversial post by former U.S. President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform. In the post, Trump claimed that Christians were being “slaughtered” by Islamic extremists in Nigeria and warned that the U.S. “might have to act” if such attacks continued.
Trump’s statement sparked widespread criticism both within Nigeria and abroad, with many describing his comments as misleading and potentially inflammatory.
In reaction, President Bola Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to democracy, unity, and religious freedom. Writing on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Tinubu reaffirmed that Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination on the basis of faith.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” Tinubu said. “We maintain engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders to promote peace, tolerance, and unity across the nation.”
The President dismissed Trump’s portrayal of Nigeria as religiously intolerant as “inaccurate and unfair,” stressing that interfaith harmony remains one of the country’s enduring values. He also noted that while terrorist groups have at times targeted communities of different faiths, their goal is not driven by religion but by broader agendas of violence and destabilisation.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s partnership with the United States and other allies in the global fight against terrorism, pledging continued cooperation to protect communities of all faiths.
“As a government, we will continue to work with our international partners, including the United States, to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen collective security,” he said.
With the new Defence Chief taking charge, the Tinubu administration is expected to further intensify counterterrorism efforts through improved intelligence sharing, regional coordination, and renewed engagement with local communities affected by insecurity.
General Oluyede concluded by urging Nigerians to remain united in the face of security challenges, emphasizing that the nation’s strength lies in its diversity and shared resolve to overcome terrorism and maintain peace.
“We are one people, one nation. Together, we will defeat terrorism and ensure lasting stability for future generations,” he said.
Source: BUSINESS DAY
