NO RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION IN NIGERIA, SAYS DEFENCE CHIEF AS HE REJECTS TRUMP’S CLAIMS. .. SAYS NIGERIA OPEN FOR SUPPORT..

By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4- NOV- 2025

Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has firmly refuted allegations made by former U.S. President Donald Trump that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria. He emphasized that while the country continues to face security challenges, no religious group is being targeted by the Nigerian government.

General Oluyede made this clarification in Abuja after a high-level security meeting held at the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The meeting was convened to review national security developments in light of recent international concerns.

Addressing newsmen, the CDS stated, “There is no persecution of Christians in Nigeria. What we are dealing with is a long-standing issue of insecurity, particularly terrorism, which has affected people of all backgrounds.”

He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, are intensifying efforts to combat terrorism and restore peace across the country. He also dismissed Trump’s recent assertion that Nigeria should face possible military action if it fails to address alleged religious violence.

Trump had redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), citing alleged widespread killings of Christians. However, General Oluyede maintained that the Federal Government is taking decisive steps to tackle insecurity, pointing to the recent reshuffling of military leadership by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen operations.

“Just last week, President Tinubu reviewed the security architecture and appointed seasoned officers with vast experience in asymmetric warfare to enhance our counter-terrorism efforts,” he said. “We will continue to improve our strategies and ensure terrorism is contained.”

General Oluyede acknowledged that terrorism is a global challenge and called for international cooperation. He stated that Nigeria is open to collaboration with friendly nations willing to support its fight against insurgency.

“Terrorism is not unique to Nigeria; it is a global problem requiring collective action. We welcome assistance from any nation ready to partner with us to defeat terrorism,” he added.

The CDS reassured citizens that the Armed Forces remain committed to safeguarding lives and promoting national unity, regardless of religious or ethnic differences.