Tinubu 'well ahead of game unfolding in US,' Nigeria says after Trump alleges Christian persecution

President Bola Tinubu was "well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America," Nigeria's presidency said in a statement on Sunday after US President Donald Trump recently alleged Christian persecution in the West African nation.

According to Tinubu's special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president had already made strategic interventions to tackle insecurity in Nigeria long before Trump voiced his concerns.

Onanuga further said Trump's claim that Tinubu's administration was doing little to protect Christians from attacks by armed groups was, therefore, inaccurate.

The Nigerian president's aide revealed that Tinubu met the military's new chiefs on Thursday and emphasised to them "what Nigerians expect of them."

'No more excuses'

"No more excuses, he (Tinubu) said. Nigerians want results," Onanuga said in a statement on X social network on Sunday.

Quoting the president verbatim, Onanuga stated that Tinubu cautioned: "Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head."

The president reportedly added that: "I charge you, as the heads of our nation's armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. I (also) charge you to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let's stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer."

Tinubu further said: "I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done."

Trump orders US military to prepare for Nigeria deployment

Tinubu's sentiments mirror a statement he made on Saturday after President Trump ordered the American military to prepare for action in Nigeria.

According to Washington, the American forces would tackle "terrorist attacks" targeting the Christian community in Nigeria.

Violence-monitoring groups state that there is no evidence indicating that Christians are being targeted more than Muslims during terrorist attacks in the vast West African nation.

Christian and Islam representation is nearly evenly distributed in Nigeria.

Tinubu answers Trump

In response to Trump's statement, President Tinubu said on Saturday that his administration "continues to address security challenges which affect citizens across faiths and regions."

"The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians," the head of state said in his statement.

"Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it. Nigeria is a country with constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths."

Abuja added that it was "committed to working with the United States' government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation on protection of communities of all faiths."

'Guns blazing'

Earlier Saturday, President Trump wrote on social media that he had instructed the US Department of War to prepare for "possible action" in Nigeria.

Trump further warned that he might send the American military into Nigeria "guns-a-blazing" unless the Nigerian government intervened in addressing widespread insecurity.

Trump added: "If we attack, it will be fast, vicious…"

US Secretary of State for War Pete Hegseth replied to Trump's post by writing: "Yes sir. The Department of War is preparing for action."

Persistent insecurity problem

Nigeria has grappled with persistent insecurity, especially in the country's north where terrorist groups have abducted and killed thousands in recent years. Some of the kidnap ordeals are ransom-motivated.

While Boko Haram terrorist group's threat remains potent, the West African nation also faces the threat of armed criminals, widely known as bandits, who maim, destroy property, and also engage in abductions.

The Nigerian government says it has made notable efforts to equip its military to decisively deal with these armed groups.