Nigeria’s prime safety leaders have entered an emergency session in Abuja following feedback by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting potential navy motion in Nigeria.
The assembly, held on the Nationwide Counter Terrorism Centre on Monday, was led by Nationwide Safety Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
POLITICS NIGERIA experiences that safety chiefs and intelligence heads had been current on the emergency assembly.
The agenda, in line with senior authorities insiders, is to judge the safety and diplomatic affect of Trump’s claims and put together a coordinated nationwide response.
Trump not too long ago alleged that the Nigerian authorities has failed to guard Christians. He declared that the U.S. navy might be mobilised to “act in Nigeria to deal with Islamist militancy,” sparking concern throughout diplomatic circles and prompting pressing consultations in Abuja.
Officers on the assembly are reviewing intelligence experiences, discussing contingency actions, and reinforcing Nigeria’s place on sovereignty.
A prime supply conversant in the talks mentioned discussions are centred on nationwide safety technique and diplomatic engagement.
Authorities aides have dismissed the potential for U.S. troops getting into the nation with out Nigeria’s consent. Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala insisted that no international navy can function in Nigeria with out the President’s approval.
After President Bola Tinubu rejected Trump’s claims, Trump escalated his remarks. “If the Nigerian Authorities continues to permit the killing of Christians…” he warned, earlier than making additional statements about navy readiness and halting U.S. assist.
Tinubu responded firmly, stressing Nigeria’s constitutional safety of all religions. He maintained that the nation is a secular democracy the place each Christians and Muslims get pleasure from equal rights.
The President additionally famous ongoing safety reforms since 2023 and appealed for diplomatic cooperation as a substitute of inflammatory rhetoric.
Tinubu described the declare of non secular focusing on as a “mischaracterisation,” saying Nigeria values peaceable coexistence and continues to combat terrorism in all varieties.
Though the NSA workplace has not but launched a public assertion, officers say a proper nationwide safety briefing is predicted after the assembly.