National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has convened an emergency meeting with Nigeria’s top security and intelligence chiefs amid rising tension following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remarks suggesting possible American military action in Nigeria.
The high-level meeting, currently taking place at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja, is said to be focused on evaluating the national implications of Trump’s statement, which accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militant attacks.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the NSA called the meeting to ensure a coordinated response among the nation’s security agencies and to review intelligence reports on potential diplomatic and security fallout.
“This session is about preparedness and understanding the broader consequences of the U.S. president’s warning,” a senior intelligence officer told Afripost under anonymity.
President Trump, in a weekend statement, alleged that the United States was “ready to act in Nigeria to confront Islamist extremism,” a claim that has sparked concern within Nigeria’s defence and foreign policy circles.
The statement has also drawn sharp attention from global observers who worry it could escalate tensions between both countries.
Security analysts, however, have cautioned against framing Nigeria’s complex insecurity through a religious lens.
Independent monitors have consistently reported that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from terrorist attacks, communal clashes, and banditry across different regions of the country.
“There’s no verified evidence pointing to a targeted campaign against Christians alone,” said a security analyst in Abuja.
“The crisis cuts across faith and ethnicity, it’s more about governance and insecurity than religion.”
The outcome of Ribadu’s meeting with the service chiefs is expected to be made public through an official statement from the Office of the National Security Adviser in the coming days.