The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, saying terrorism and kidnapping have spread from the northern part of the country to the South.
Adeboye made the remarks while speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23. A video of his speech was uploaded on YouTube by Eagles Online on Sunday.
According to the cleric, the country’s security challenges have escalated and are now affecting areas that were previously considered relatively safe.
“Things have gone far, far worse than before. 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. And, of course, the sponsors, they are all known, and they are still moving about freely,” he said.
Despite raising concerns about the security situation, Adeboye defended President Bola Tinubu against criticisms that his administration was not doing enough to tackle the crisis.
“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.
Drawing a comparison with the United States, Adeboye said presidents are expected to give directives while security agencies carry out the operations.
“When my friend Trump gives instructions to go and bomb anywhere, he doesn’t leave the White House. He has done his bit. ‘I hereby command, bomb Iran,’ and then he goes to his bedroom and sleeps. The rest is left to the supporters.”
The RCCG leader also revealed that he had personally discussed the country’s security challenges with President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
According to him, he advised the President to issue a 90-day deadline to military commanders to eliminate terrorism or step aside.
“I told him to issue directives to military officers across the armed forces and set a 90-day ultimatum: wipe out this rubbish or resign. And then take care of the supporters, the sponsors,” he said.
Adeboye further alleged that those financing terrorism are influential individuals, including politicians and businesspeople, urging the government to target them.
“You know them. Some of them are businessmen. Some of them are politicians. Go after them. Because if you do not deal with those who are supplying these people with arms and ammunition, the problem will continue,” he said.
He also called on the United States and other members of the international community to support Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism and restore security across the country.