The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday held a high-level meeting with the Service Chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies in Abuja, amid growing international attention on Nigeria’s internal security situation.
Although the details of the closed-door session were not immediately made public, the meeting is believed to have focused on recent reports suggesting that US President Donald Trump allegedly directed American defence authorities to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria.
The reports followed comments attributed to President Trump on his Truth Social platform, in which he reportedly criticised the Nigerian Government for what he described as “genocidal attacks” on Christians.
He was said to have warned that the United States would withdraw all aid and assistance to Nigeria if President Bola Tinubu’s administration failed to halt the alleged killings.
In the post, President Trump allegedly wrote: “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 blazing, to wipe out the terrorists committing these atrocities.
I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and decisive — just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians.”
While Nigerian authorities have not officially responded to the statement, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) is expected to issue a formal reaction after consultations with relevant agencies.
A source at the meeting hinted that Mr Ribadu would brief senior editors and media executives on the outcome of the deliberations, particularly regarding the alleged comments by the US President and Nigeria’s broader security response.
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, confirmed that the NSA and the security chiefs would address the media on the matter.
According to him, the briefing will clarify Nigeria’s position, address the allegations of genocide, and update the public on ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity and promote national stability.
