National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has reportedly convened an emergency meeting Monday with the Chief of Defence Staff, the service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja to assess the fallout from U.S. President Donald Trump’s public warning that American forces were being readied “to act in Nigeria” against Islamist militants.
Trump’s comments — circulated late Saturday and repeated by Pentagon official Pete Hegseth on X — accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from Islamist violence and said the U.S. military was being prepared to “act in Nigeria to tackle Islamist militancy.”
The remarks prompted alarm across diplomatic and security circles in Abuja and spurred the NCTC meeting, a security source told Zagazola Makama.
“The meeting is to coordinate a unified national security response and review intelligence assessments on the potential fallout,” the source said.
Officials at the session are expected to review diplomatic, military and intelligence angles before deciding on public messaging, the source added.
An official communique is expected from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The exchange escalated regional concern with Chad, which has always being listed, like Niger Republic, as a regular route for bandits, foreign Fulani militia, announced an immediate closure of its border with Nigeria after N’Djamena said President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno ordered a military lockdown amid reports that extremists might flee into Chadian territory.
Chadian military sources told Zagazola Makama troops and armoured units were deployed along key corridors linking the two countries.
Analysts are scoffing at the border closure wondering why that country’s government allowed if for criminals to come into Nigeria and now shutting it. “They should be made to reopen to let out their people,” one analyst said
Domestic debate intensified after retired Defence intelligence officer Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (retd.) accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of lacking the political will to prosecute alleged sponsors of terrorism.
In an interview, Olawunmi said security agencies “know the sponsors” but are blocked by political influence. He also criticised ongoing negotiations between northern leaders and armed bandits, warned against reintegration policies for “repentant” militants, and alleged that some senior officers were protecting insurgents for religious or political reasons.
While many insist that Christians are often targeted others say victims of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria include both Christians and Muslims.
The U.S. statement, which did not cite specific incidents, has nonetheless amplified fears of external military involvement and raised urgent questions about Nigeria’s security strategy and regional stability.
It is expected that the NCTC meeting will inform on any formal response from Abuja.
Analysts say diplomatic channels between Nigeria and the U.S., regional security coordination with neighbours such as Chad, and transparent intelligence-sharing will be crucial to de-escalating tensions and preventing unintended military confrontation.
