The National Security Adviser, NSA, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday convened an emergency meeting with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump had directed preparations for possible military action in Nigeria.
The meeting, held at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, NCTC, in Abuja, was aimed at assessing the implications of Trump’s comments and coordinating a unified national security response.
Discussions focused on evaluating intelligence reports and examining potential diplomatic fallout from Trump’s claims that the Nigerian government was not doing enough to protect Christians from extremist attacks.
Trump, while speaking on Saturday, alleged that the U.S. military was being “prepared to act in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militancy,” a statement that has generated widespread concern in Abuja and among diplomatic observers.
However, independent monitoring groups have pointed out that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of terrorism, banditry, and communal violence in Nigeria, with no verified evidence of targeted persecution against one faith.
Sources at the meeting said the NSA emphasized the need for calm and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to protecting all citizens, regardless of religion.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be communicated through an official statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser in due course.