Ribadu, Service Chiefs Meet Over U.S. Military Threat, Trump’s Genocide Allegation

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday held a crucial meeting with the nation’s service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies in Abuja.

Although the agenda of the closed-door meeting was not made public, sources hinted that it may not be unconnected with the recent threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to consider possible military action in Nigeria over alleged persecution and killings of Christians.

President Trump had, in a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, directed the United States “Department of War” to prepare for “possible action” if the alleged killings continued.

He also warned that Washington would suspend all forms of aid and assistance to Nigeria if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration failed to put an end to the purported religious violence.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA 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,” Trump had stated.

Ribadu is expected to brief newspaper editors and top media executives at the end of the meeting on the outcome of the discussions.

Earlier, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed that the NSA and the security chiefs would address the media to provide clarifications on the genocide allegation and update Nigerians on efforts to tackle insecurity nationwide.

“The briefing will provide adequate response to the allegations of genocide and inform the public on the ongoing efforts of the government to ensure the safety of lives and property,” Issa-Onilu said.

Meanwhile, there are indications that the Federal Government is taking the development seriously and may engage the U.S. authorities diplomatically to prevent further escalation of tension between both countries.