In response to the escalating threat of U.S. military action, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, convened an emergency meeting with all service chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies on Monday, November 3, 2025, to assess and coordinate a unified national response.
The session, held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja, focused on contingency planning and reinforcing the Sovereignty of Nigeria against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “guns-a-blazing” warning.
The meeting, which brought together the top defense brass of Nigeria, was necessitated by President Trump’s recent statement tagging Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations and subsequently threatening to send U.S. forces to eradicate “Islamic terrorists” killing Christians.
Nigeria’s security apparatus is enforcing its strategy to address the dual challenge of domestic insurgency and the unprecedented threat of foreign military intervention.
The Nigerian government has vehemently rejected the narrative of a “Christian genocide,” arguing that the violence, perpetrated by groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and criminal bandits, affects citizens across all faiths.
During the meeting, Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), addressed the press, dismissing the U.S. President’s claims as a fundamental failure of American intelligence.
Let me speak specifically to some of the import of the tweet. One to say that there is Christian genocide in Nigeria, I’m sure even America knows that is not true. This is not the first time that the intelligence of the United States has failed America. It failed them in Iraq… So I’m sure this is another error in their intelligence gathering – Issa-Onilu declared
The Director-General stressed the commitment of the government to religious harmony and to the fight against terrorism. He stressed that President Bola Tinubu’s recent shake-up of top military commanders shows the seriousness of the government in rejigging and empowering the security system.
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