The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has defended President Bola Tinubu against criticism over the country’s worsening insecurity, saying the President has discharged his constitutional responsibility by directing the nation’s security agencies to tackle terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
Adeboye, however, warned that the security situation remains deeply troubling, citing the continued wave of abductions, killings and violent attacks across several parts of the country, including recent kidnapping incidents in Oyo State and other southern states where such crimes were previously uncommon.
The cleric made the remarks while speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington on June 23.
President has done his part
According to Adeboye, it is unfair to blame Tinubu alone for the country’s security challenges, insisting that the commander-in-chief’s responsibility is to issue directives while security chiefs execute them.
“I need to make this one clear: I don’t support those who are accusing the president of not doing enough. When the commander-in-chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki and fight,” he said.
To illustrate his point, the cleric compared Tinubu’s role with that of United States presidents, noting that they authorise military operations without personally taking part in combat.
Insecurity spreading across Nigeria
Despite defending the President, Adeboye admitted that insecurity has deteriorated significantly, saying terrorism and kidnapping have spread beyond their traditional strongholds in northern Nigeria into the South.
He noted that recent cases of abductions in Oyo State and other parts of the country demonstrate how criminal groups have expanded their operations, leaving many communities living in fear.
According to him, the worsening situation has caused many Nigerians to question their faith as attacks continue despite efforts by security agencies.
“The terrorism, kidnapping, and so on that were in the north are now even at my doorstep. They have come all the way down to the south,” he said.
Calls for decisive action
Adeboye disclosed that he discussed the country’s security challenges with President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, urging the President to issue a firm ultimatum to military commanders.
According to him, he advised Tinubu to give the Army, Navy and Air Force leadership 90 days to eliminate terrorism or resign from office, stressing that stronger accountability would improve the fight against insecurity.
He also called for intensified intelligence gathering and improved coordination among security agencies to ensure criminal groups are dismantled before carrying out attacks.
Go after sponsors, cleric urges
The respected cleric insisted that defeating terrorism requires targeting those who finance and support criminal groups rather than focusing only on the gunmen carrying out attacks.
He described the sponsors as influential individuals, including politicians and businessmen, who allegedly provide arms, ammunition, funding and logistics to terrorists and kidnappers.
Adeboye said the government must identify and prosecute such sponsors if it hopes to end the violence permanently, adding that international partners, particularly the United States, should also support Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism and restore lasting peace across the country.