Pastor Adeboye tells service chiefs to end terrorism within 90 days or resign

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged the Federal Government to give Nigeria’s security chiefs a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorism or resign from office.

Adeboye made the call in a video shared on his X handle on Tuesday, expressing concern over the worsening security situation in the country.

The cleric stressed the need for greater accountability in the fight against terrorism, insisting that security chiefs should be assessed based on results.

According to him, while he could only advise the Commander-in-Chief and not issue directives, the government must take decisive steps to address insecurity.

“You can only advise the Commander-in-Chief. You can’t command him, because if you command the Commander-in-Chief, then you become the commander of the Commander-in-Chief. That doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Adeboye stated that if asked for recommendations, he would advise the government to issue a clear directive to the nation’s security chiefs.

“What should we do now? I’m talking to you as my children. If I were asked to make suggestions, I would say quietly to our government, move fast. And tell our security chiefs, get rid of these terrorists within 90 days, or resign,” he said.

The revered cleric also called on the authorities to go beyond tackling terrorists and ensure that those sponsoring violent groups are identified and brought to justice, irrespective of their status in society.

“When giving orders to the service chiefs this time around, we should make it clear to them that they are not only to eliminate the terrorists; they should eliminate their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be,” he added.

Adeboye recalled that a former Nigerian president had once issued a similar directive to security chiefs, giving them three months to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

According to him, although the order prompted swift action by security operatives, it was not fully enforced after the deadline elapsed.

“There was a president, unfortunately he’s dead now, who called the service chiefs together and said, ‘I give you three months. Get rid of all these Boko Haram people, or resign,'” he said.

The cleric noted that his experience following that episode informed his current position on the need for firm timelines and accountability in addressing insecurity.

He reiterated that any renewed directive to security chiefs must include measures to dismantle not only terrorist networks but also those financing their operations, regardless of their influence.