In a urgent security alert, Primate Elijah Ayodele has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately convene northern governors and develop concrete strategies to eliminate terrorism in Nigeria. The prominent cleric delivered this strong message through a video posted on his church's official Facebook page on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
US Military Threat: Nigeria Must Act Within Three Weeks
Primate Ayodele emphasized that President Donald Trump's threats to deploy American military forces to Nigeria should be taken with utmost seriousness. The spiritual leader warned that the United States government is "not joking" about potential intervention following Trump's allegations that thousands of Christians are being killed in Nigeria.
The cleric issued a stark timeline for action, stating that the Nigerian government has only three weeks to weaken terrorist operations before America might consider taking over security operations. He cautioned that once American forces enter Nigeria, they might not leave, potentially affecting Tinubu's chances for a second term in office.
Direct Challenge to Presidential Leadership
Primate Ayodele did not mince words in his assessment of President Tinubu's handling of the security crisis. He questioned whether the Nigerian leader is either "confused or frightened" in his approach to dealing with terrorists, whom he described as "enemies of the nation."
In his most direct challenge, the cleric demanded: "If Tinubu cannot fight terrorists, let him resign." He specifically called for the immediate arrest of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, known for his negotiations with bandits, asking pointedly: "What are you waiting for? Is Tinubu afraid of terrorists or terrorist negotiators?"
Northern Governors Must Take Responsibility
The religious leader accused state governors of being responsible for the escalating kidnapping epidemic across the nation. He particularly singled out the governors of Katsina, Niger, and other northern states, urging President Tinubu to bring them together to perfect plans for eliminating terrorism.
Primate Ayodele strongly denounced the practice of pardoning so-called 'de-radicalised' terrorists and allegedly providing them with financial compensation. He maintained that this approach has failed to address the security challenges facing the country.
Expert Weighs In on Security Solutions
Meanwhile, security expert Dr. Murtala Adogi has proposed concrete measures for governors in the north-central region to address the persistent herdsmen-farmers conflicts. The founder of System Strategy and Policy Lab recommended five key actions for the governors of Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau states:
- Commission detailed geo-environmental mapping of forest corridors to identify bandit movement hotspots
- Establish joint forest security task forces involving local vigilantes and security agencies
- Empower communities living near forest areas with livelihood support and early warning systems
- Form a regional security alliance to share intelligence and coordinate patrols
- Integrate climate and resource governance into security planning
The security situation in northern Nigeria continues to deteriorate despite government efforts. Former Senator Shehu Sani has previously attributed the persistence of terrorism and banditry to corruption within Nigeria's security apparatus, noting that terrorists appear to fear attacking targets in neighboring countries like Niger, Chad, and Cameroon more than they do in Nigeria.
As the three-week deadline looms, pressure mounts on the Tinubu administration to demonstrate tangible progress in combating terrorism and addressing the security concerns raised by both local religious leaders and international partners.
