National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday held an emergency meeting with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja. The meeting was called to assess the security and diplomatic impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments suggesting possible U.S. military action in Nigeria.
Trump, while speaking on Saturday, accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militant attacks. He claimed the U.S. military was being “prepared to act in Nigeria,” a statement that sparked concern across West Africa and prompted a swift review by Nigerian authorities.
According to top security sources, the meeting focused on coordinating a unified response among defence and intelligence institutions. Ribadu reportedly directed agencies to conduct an impact assessment, develop contingency plans, and reinforce Nigeria’s sovereignty in light of Trump’s remarks.
Reacting to Trump’s claims, President Bola Tinubu dismissed the allegations as a misrepresentation of Nigeria’s religious reality. He emphasized that the country’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that his administration has continued to engage both Christian and Muslim leaders to promote peace and address security challenges nationwide.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to diplomacy and cooperation with the United States but stressed that “Nigeria remains a democracy guided by religious tolerance.” The Office of the NSA is expected to release an official statement outlining the government’s coordinated position following the high-level meeting.