Terrorism Has Reached My Doorstep, Says Adeboye
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has expressed deep concern over Nigeria's worsening security situation, saying terrorism and kidnapping have spread from the North to the South, bringing the country's security crisis "to my doorstep."
Adeboye made the remarks while speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23. A video of the event was uploaded on Sunday by Eagles Online on YouTube.
The respected cleric lamented the growing insecurity across the country, saying criminal activities that were once largely concentrated in northern Nigeria had now extended to the southern part of the country.
"Things have gone far, far worse than before. The terrorism, kidnapping, and so on that were in the North are now even at my doorstep. They have come all the way down to the South. And, of course, the sponsors, they are all known, and they are still moving about freely," he said.
Despite his concerns over the security situation, Adeboye defended President Bola Tinubu against criticisms that the administration had not done enough to tackle insecurity. He argued that the President had fulfilled his constitutional responsibility by directing the armed forces and other security agencies to confront the security threats.
"I need to make this one clear: I don't support those who are accusing the President of not doing enough. When the Commander-in-Chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don't expect him to go and put on khaki and fight," he said.
Drawing a comparison with the United States, Adeboye added: "When my friend Trump gives instructions to go and bomb anywhere, he doesn't leave the White House. He has done his bit. 'I hereby command, bomb Iran,' and then he goes to his bedroom and sleeps. The rest is left to the supporters."
The RCCG General Overseer disclosed that he had personally discussed the country's security challenges with President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. According to him, he advised the President to issue military commanders a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorism or vacate their positions.
"I told him to issue directives to military officers across the armed forces and set a 90-day ultimatum: wipe out this rubbish or resign. And then take care of the supporters, the sponsors," he said.
Adeboye further alleged that the financiers of terrorism were influential individuals, including politicians and businessmen, urging the Federal Government to go after those providing financial and logistical support to violent groups.
"You know them. Some of them are businessmen. Some of them are politicians. Go after them. Because if you do not deal with those who are supplying these people with arms and ammunition, the problem will continue," he said.
He maintained that dismantling the networks funding terrorist activities was critical to ending the prolonged security crisis, stressing that military operations alone would not achieve lasting peace if those sponsoring violence were left untouched.
The cleric also appealed to the United States and the wider international community to support Nigeria's efforts to combat terrorism, strengthen national security and restore lasting peace across the country.
Source: Punch Newspaper.
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