President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned the new service chiefs to quit playing games with the country’s security and get down to work, saying that they have run out of excuses.
President Tinubu made the remarks when he hosted the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede, the Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, earlier in the week.
According to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy to the President, Tinubu’s remarks came “well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America”.
Onanuga reported that the president told the new service chiefs what Nigerians expect of them: “No more excuses… Nigerians want results.”
Here is the excerpt of his speech as disclosed by Onanuga:
“Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating.
“Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South.
“We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive.
“Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.
“I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal.
“Nigerians expect results, not excuses.
“I charge you also to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous.
“Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace.
“Let us deploy technology where necessary.
“We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer.
“I wish you success as you take up the challenge.
“I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done”.
Too little, too late
In the meantime, though, it appears that the president’s speech came too little, too late as the American government has vowed to liberate the oppressed Christian community, even through a military action.
President Donald Trump had posted a declaration in a social media post on his Truth Social handle, @realDonaldTrump.
President Trump gave an order instructing the Department of War to prepare for possible military action against the Nigerian government.
Trump wrote: “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, “guns-a-blazing,” to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action.
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!
“WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!”
Earlier…
In an earlier post on October 31, 2025, Trump wrote on social media:
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed.
“Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.
“I am hereby making Nigeria a “COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN” — But that is the least of it.
“When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!
“I am asking Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into this matter, and report back to me.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries.
“We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World!” [END]
On his part, the United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has confirmed that his department is preparing for military action in Nigeria.
The action followed reports of continued attacks on Christians.
The United States government cited recent attacks in northern Nigeria, for example, the October 2025 Plateau State clashes.
The clashes saw over fifty Christians killed.
Hegseth said he was responding to President Trump’s earlier post threatening a direct US military intervention.
He said Trump premised the intervention on the reports of persecution of Christians in northern Nigeria.
“Yes sir,” Hegseth replied to Trump.
“The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately,” he added.
