Enoch Adeboye has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fulfilled his responsibility by directing the military and security agencies to tackle Nigeria’s insecurity, while urging tougher measures to address the country’s persistent security challenges.
Speaking at the U.S.-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C., Adeboye acknowledged that insecurity remains a serious national concern, citing terrorism in the North-East and North-West, as well as the growing incidence of kidnapping and violent crime across other parts of the country.
The cleric argued that a president’s constitutional role is to provide policy direction and authorize security operations rather than personally lead troops into combat, noting that military commanders are responsible for executing such directives.
Adeboye disclosed that he had privately advised the President to intensify efforts against insecurity by setting clear performance targets for security chiefs, identifying and prosecuting individuals who finance criminal and terrorist activities, and strengthening international security cooperation, including with the United States.
He emphasized that defeating insecurity requires not only military action but also intelligence gathering, accountability, and the dismantling of financial networks that sustain armed groups.
His remarks have generated mixed reactions. Some commentators praised his balanced approach, saying it recognized both the government’s efforts and the need for stronger action. Others questioned the comments by comparing them with his previous public positions on security during earlier administrations, arguing that government performance should be judged by measurable improvements in public safety.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, communal violence, and attacks on rural communities, prompting renewed calls for comprehensive security reforms and enhanced coordination among security agencies.
Adeboye reiterated the need for sustained action to restore peace and protect lives, stressing that improving national security remains essential for Nigeria’s economic growth, social stability, and overall development.
