The chief of defence staff, General Olufemi Oloyede, has dismissed claims that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria, saying the country is instead facing a long-standing challenge of insecurity caused by terrorism.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday after a meeting of the national security adviser and service chiefs on national security, Oloyede said the Nigerian military is intensifying efforts to curb terrorist activities across the country.
“There are no Christians being persecuted in Nigeria. What we are dealing with is insecurity, especially terrorism, which has affected Nigeria for quite some time.
“We’ve been doing our very best to checkmate this act of terrorism within the space of Nigeria,” he said.
Oloyede noted that President Bola Tinubu, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces recently recalibrated the security architecture with officers of proven integrity who are seasoned in asymmetric warfare, a move aimed at strengthening national security operations.
Oloyede assured citizens that the armed forces will continue to expand operations and sustain pressure against insurgents, adding that the fight against terrorism requires collaboration.
“Terrorism is a global issue; many countries are facing the same challenge. It calls for collective effort.
“If we have countries out there ready to support Nigeria, we are open to working with them to checkmate terrorism within our borders,” he stated.
Comments