The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and the founder of The Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, have lauded United States President Donald Trump for his administration's recent military actions against terrorist enclaves in Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.
The religious leaders spoke during the "Faith Heroes Award Gala" in Washington, D.C., organized by the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) USA and the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition.
The event honored President Trump, as well as U.S. Representatives Chris Smith and Riley Moore, for their legislative efforts to address the security crisis in Nigeria.
Addressing a diverse audience of activists and policymakers, Pastor Adeboye warned that Nigeria is facing an unprecedented security threat that has reached his own doorstep. He cautioned that the violence, characterized by killings and mass abductions; has moved beyond the capacity of local institutions to resolve alone.
"Terrorism is now at my doorstep," Adeboye stated, urging a global coalition led by the United States and its Western allies to dismantle the internal networks fueling the crisis. He famously referred to the existence of an "untouchable" class of actors within Nigeria who obstruct anti-terrorism efforts from within.
While acknowledging the complexity of governance, Adeboye clarified that he does not support sweeping accusations against the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Instead, he emphasized that the effectiveness of military operations rests on the execution of directives by the Commander-in-Chief.
He further noted that he had previously advised the Nigerian presidency to engage strategically with the U.S. government to demonstrate commitment to the anti-terror cause.
In a keynote address delivered in his absence, Bishop David Oyedepo described Nigeria as being "virtually at the brink of collapse." Referencing alarming data from U.S. Congressional findings, Oyedepo noted that between 2009 and 2025, between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians have been martyred, with over 19,000 churches destroyed.
"The happenings in our country today call for urgent action from all stakeholders to prevent a situation of total anarchy," Oyedepo warned.
Addressing a diverse audience of activists and policymakers, Pastor Adeboye warned that Nigeria is facing an unprecedented security threat that has reached his own doorstep. He cautioned that the violence, characterized by killings and mass abductions; has moved beyond the capacity of local institutions to resolve alone.
"Terrorism is now at my doorstep," Adeboye stated, urging a global coalition led by the United States and its Western allies to dismantle the internal networks fueling the crisis. He famously referred to the existence of an "untouchable" class of actors within Nigeria who obstruct anti-terrorism efforts from within.
While acknowledging the complexity of governance, Adeboye clarified that he does not support sweeping accusations against the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Instead, he emphasized that the effectiveness of military operations rests on the execution of directives by the Commander-in-Chief.
He further noted that he had previously advised the Nigerian presidency to engage strategically with the U.S. government to demonstrate commitment to the anti-terror cause.
In a keynote address delivered in his absence, Bishop David Oyedepo described Nigeria as being "virtually at the brink of collapse." Referencing alarming data from U.S. Congressional findings, Oyedepo noted that between 2009 and 2025, between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians have been martyred, with over 19,000 churches destroyed.
He threw his full support behind the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, urging the U.S. to designate militant groups; including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and various ethnic militias, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, echoed these concerns, warning that Nigeria is at a critical "fork" and risks failing as a nation if the terrorist insurgency is not contained.
He emphasized that the U.S. government remains committed to helping Nigeria reclaim its promise and stability.
Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, echoed these concerns, warning that Nigeria is at a critical "fork" and risks failing as a nation if the terrorist insurgency is not contained.
He emphasized that the U.S. government remains committed to helping Nigeria reclaim its promise and stability.
ALSO READ:
US–Nigeria civil society coalition to address humanitarian, religious freedom crisis - ITREALMS
Dr. Katrina Swett, a renowned advocate for international human rights, added that while the future of Nigeria rests with its citizens, the United States possesses the "powerful leverage" necessary to influence the situation positively.
The event, which followed a massive advocacy rally at MacPherson Square near the White House, has significantly ramped up pressure on the Nigerian leadership.
Organizers, led by Stephen Osemwegie, president of SNG USA, reiterated that their mission will continue until the terrorist networks in Nigeria are fully dismantled and the proposed accountability legislation is signed into law.
Remmy Nweke/DoP
No comments:
Post a Comment