The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, is currently meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Service Chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Abuja, following reports of a directive by U.S. President Donald Trump to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria.
A security source told Zagazola Makama that the emergency meeting, which began on Monday afternoon, is 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.
The ante move up immediately when Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth announced that the department was preparing for possible actions against Nigeria in line with the order from President Trump.
“Either the Nigerian government will protect Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who commit these terrible atrocities,” Hegseth wrote on the social network X (ex. Twitter).
According to the source at the meeting, 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.
Zagazola reports 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.
Written with additional reports from Zagazola Makama
