Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide emergency following President Trump pressuring the country amid ongoing kidnappings and killings of Christians.
“My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” the proclamation says. “The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation.”
“I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow states that require state police to establish them,” it adds. “States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security. Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.”
“Those who want to test our resolve should never mistake our restraint for weakness. This administration has the courage and determination to keep the country safe and ensure our citizens live in peace,” the proclamation notes, going on to urge citizens to “remain calm and vigilant. Report suspicious activities. Cooperate with security agencies.”
“We are in this fight together, and together we shall win,” it declares.
Earlier this month, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, convened a meeting with the country’s top military and intelligence officials to weigh a response to pressure from President Trump, who demanded that Nigeria act swiftly to protect Christians and his re‑designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious‑freedom violations.
Following a series of meetings with Nigerian officials, the United States “affirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria.”
“This includes enhanced intelligence support, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and the potential provision of excess defence articles—subject to availability—to reinforce ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups,” a Nigerian presidential statement explained. “The United States also expressed its willingness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical support to strengthen early-warning mechanisms.”
