- says service chiefs should resign if deadline not met
- Buhari ignored similar advice
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on President Bola Tinubu to engage diplomatically with former US President Donald Trump to secure a 100-day period to tackle insurgency in Nigeria.
He stated that if such a window is granted, Tinubu should instruct the Service Chiefs and other security agencies to eliminate insurgents within 90 days or step down if they fail.
Speaking at the November edition of the monthly Holy Ghost Night, the cleric stressed that Nigeria cannot rely on foreign powers for protection in the event of a US attack.
“We must recognize that if the US attacks us, China will not come to defend us, Russia will not defend us,” he said. “All the so-called world leaders may condemn what America does, but they will not intervene on our behalf.”
Adeboye urged Tinubu to direct the Security Chiefs not only to eliminate terrorists but also to target their sponsors, regardless of their influence.
“When giving orders to the Service Chiefs this time, he should make it clear that they are to eliminate terrorists and their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be,” he said.
Recalling a similar situation under the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Adeboye said he had privately advised decisive action against Boko Haram when killings in the country escalated, but the advice was not fully acted upon.
“Some of you will remember a time when the Service Chiefs were told, ‘I give you three months to get rid of Boko Haram or resign.’ The advice was given, and initially, the security operatives moved quickly. But after three months, the work was not completed,” he said.
Adeboye added that he visited Buhari to discuss why the directive was not enforced, noting that while he cannot reveal all details, the key lesson is that decisive action must include targeting the sponsors of terrorism.
