Concerned by the continued wave of insecurity across Nigeria, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has urged the Federal Government to adopt a tougher approach in dealing with terrorism and those behind it.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God General Overseer said security chiefs should be given a clear target and timeframe to end terrorist activities, warning that failure to achieve the objective should attract consequences.
Speaking in a video posted on his X account, Adeboye argued that leadership in the security sector should be measured by tangible results rather than promises.
He said, “You can only advise the commander-in-chief. You can’t command him, because if you command the commander-in-chief, then you become the commander of the commander-in-chief. That doesn’t make sense.
“But I’ve tried. And God is my witness. I don’t want to take much of your time.
“What should we do now? I’m talking to you as my children. If I were asked to make suggestions, I would say quietly to our government, move fast. And tell our security chiefs, get rid of these terrorists within 90 days, or resign.”
The cleric maintained that defeating terrorism requires more than confronting armed groups in the field. According to him, individuals and networks providing support to criminal elements must also be identified and dealt with.
He said, “When giving orders to the service chiefs this time around, we should make it clear to them that they are not only to eliminate the terrorists; they should eliminate their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be.”
Drawing from past events, Adeboye recalled how a former Nigerian president once issued a similar directive aimed at ending the Boko Haram insurgency within a set period.
He said, “There was a president, unfortunately he’s dead now… who called the service chiefs together and said, I give you three months. Get rid of all these Boko Haram people, or resign.”
According to him, the directive initially sparked action from security agencies, although the effort was not fully pursued after the deadline expired.
He added, “He ran with that advice, but he didn’t follow it through… because he gave the order as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. But security operatives moved fast.”
Adeboye further recounted a subsequent visit to the late leader, describing it as one of the experiences that shaped his views on how governments should respond to security threats.
He said, “So I went to see him… this time, somehow, the press got to know that I visited him… unfortunately, like I said, he’s not alive now.”
The cleric concluded by reiterating the need for authorities to dismantle not only terrorist groups but also the powerful individuals who allegedly sustain them. His comments come at a time when concerns over kidnappings, banditry and terrorist attacks continue to dominate national discourse.