The National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday met with service chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies over the decision of US President, Donald Trump, to move against Nigeria, following allegations of Christian genocide in the country.
The meeting came as Trump said late Sunday that ground operations and air strikes could form part of the US attack in Nigeria.
This is even as the government of Chad yesterday announced the immediate closure of its borders with Nigeria, attributing it to security concerns, following reports of alleged US military plans over Christian killings and genocide in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, yesterday called for renewed diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States, while the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere,
blamed the Federal Government for failing to implement state police to solve the security problem in the country.
The presidential candidate of Labour in 2023 elections, Peter Obi, said the designation of Nigeria as Country of Particular Concerns, CPC, was a consequence of lack of competent and committed leadership, as well as poor, imprudent deployment of available resources.
Experts in international diplomacy also described Trump’s threat of military action as one that could stoke more violence and erode investor confidence.
Ribadu’s meeting with the service chiefs, which held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, Abuja, followed reports of a directive by U.S. President Donald Trump to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria.
Sources disclosed that the meeting, which began in the afternoon, assessed the implications of Trump’s statement.
The source said the NSA convened the session to coordinate a unified national security response and review intelligence assessments on the potential fallout of the US president’s pronouncement.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be communicated through official channels of the NSA office.
