The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, has called on Nigeria’s security chiefs to eliminate terrorists and their sponsors within 90 days or resign, amid mounting public anger over renewed attacks and killings in parts of the country.
Adeboye made the call in a video shared on the church’s official X handle, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action against insecurity and hold security leaders accountable for results.
The cleric said the President should issue a clear directive to the nation’s service chiefs to wipe out terrorists and those funding them within three months or vacate their positions. He recalled a similar directive reportedly issued during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that stronger follow-through was needed.
According to Adeboye, the battle against insecurity must not stop at armed terrorists but must also target their sponsors, regardless of their status or influence.
Fresh Criticism Trails Cleric’s Intervention
However, the statement has sparked mixed reactions on social media, where some Nigerians welcomed the cleric’s tough stance while others accused him of speaking out too late after years of deadly attacks across the country.
On X, Facebook and other platforms, critics questioned why prominent religious leaders had not consistently mounted pressure on successive governments despite recurring massacres in states such as Benue, Plateau, Borno and other troubled regions.
Some users argued that Nigeria’s worsening security situation had reached a level where citizens no longer feel safe, with online discussions increasingly reflecting frustration over repeated terrorist attacks and killings. Public conversations on social media in recent months have been dominated by complaints about insecurity and demands for stronger government action.
Others defended Adeboye, noting that he has repeatedly spoken on national security issues and has often urged government officials to take stronger action against terrorists and their sponsors. His latest intervention was therefore seen by supporters as a continuation of that position rather than a new development.
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RCCG Defends Adeboye Amid Online Attacks
The backlash comes as the RCCG recently accused critics of spreading false narratives about its General Overseer, saying Adeboye had become the target of persistent misinformation and deliberate misrepresentation online.
In statements issued this week, the church said it would no longer remain silent in the face of what it described as misleading claims and attacks against its leader. The church also dismissed viral social media claims alleging that Adeboye had participated in political protests against previous administrations, describing such reports as false.
Growing Pressure on Government
Adeboye’s remarks come at a time of increasing pressure on the Federal Government to address insecurity, with communities in several parts of the country continuing to suffer attacks from terrorists, bandits and other armed groups.
Security analysts say the renewed calls from influential religious and community leaders reflect growing public impatience over the pace of efforts to restore peace and protect lives.
For many Nigerians, the challenge now is whether the government can translate repeated promises into measurable results and whether security agencies can deliver the decisive victories citizens have long demanded.