The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has claimed that five highly influential individuals are behind the rising wave of terrorism and kidnappings across Nigeria.
Ayodele issued the warning on Friday through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, stressing that the country will continue to battle severe insecurity unless the government exposes and removes those sabotaging national safety.
According to the cleric, the Federal Government must urgently identify the individuals allegedly sponsoring violent crimes across the country.
“Five people are involved in this kidnapping matter that the government must try to identify and take out of the way; otherwise, the nation will continue to be at the mercy of terrorism,” he said.
Ayodele also cautioned President Bola Tinubu against negotiating with terrorists or allowing mediators including Islamic clerics such as Sheikh Ahmad Gumi to represent the government in talks.
He argued that negotiations only embolden criminal groups and expand the business of terrorism.
“The more we negotiate, the more terrorism increases, and Tinubu is the one who has everything to lose in this matter. If he isn’t careful, they will continue to use insecurity against him,” he warned.
The cleric added that terrorism has grown into a profitable enterprise due to repeated negotiations and international influences aggravating insecurity in Nigeria.
Ayodele further noted that if decisive measures are not taken, both wealthy and poor citizens will ultimately suffer the consequences of the deepening crisis.
He urged President Tinubu to take firm action to dismantle the alleged network behind terrorism and restore stability across the country.