The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has lamented the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria, saying terrorism and kidnapping have spread from the North to the South and have now reached his doorstep.
Adeboye made the remarks during the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23.
In a video published by Eagles Online on YouTube on Sunday, the cleric said the country’s security situation had deteriorated significantly as violent crimes continued to spread across regions.
“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.”
The senior pastor, however, defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against claims that he had failed to address the security crisis, insisting that the President had discharged his responsibility by directing the military to confront the threat.
“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,” Adeboye said.
Drawing a comparison with the United States, he added, “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.”
Adeboye revealed that he had raised the issue of insecurity during discussions with President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
According to him, he advised the President to give military commanders a 90-day deadline to end terrorism or step down from their positions.
“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.
He further alleged that those funding terrorism were well-known figures, including politicians and businesspeople, and urged the government to take decisive action against 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.
Adeboye also appealed to the United States and the international community to support Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism and restore peace across the country.