Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday convened an emergency meeting with the newly appointed Service Chiefs following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened military action over alleged large-scale killings of Christians in parts of the country.
The high-level security meeting, which sources said took place at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja, was called less than 12 hours after Trump reportedly directed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for possible intervention “against Islamist militants killing Christians in Nigeria.”
According to security insiders, the closed-door session was aimed at assessing the implications of Trump’s statement within the broader context of global security and Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with the United States.
Trump, in his remarks, accused Nigerian authorities of failing to halt “decades-long” violence targeting Christians, vowing that the U.S. could no longer “stand by and watch.”
Since the statement, international media outlets have amplified coverage of violent attacks in Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa States, showing disturbing images of destroyed churches and victims — reports that appear to reinforce Trump’s allegations.
Government sources said Monday’s security meeting focused on crafting a coordinated response, with particular attention to managing potential diplomatic fallout and strengthening intelligence efforts to counter narratives that could justify foreign intervention.