“Don’t Just Eliminate Terrorists — Eliminate Their Sponsors Too,” Adeboye tells Tinubu
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to broaden the government’s strategy against insurgency by targeting not only militants and terrorists but also those who fund, arm and sustain them.
Speaking shortly after the November Holy Ghost Congress, Pastor Adeboye warned the government to act fast, diplomatically and wisely over the threat of US president, Mr. Donald Trump.
He said, this is not a joking matter, calling on president Tinubu to move faster in addressing insecurity.
He advised the government of Nigeria not to focus solely on frontline perpetrators because it would only produce temporary results unless the sponsors, financiers and logistical backers of violent groups are also identified and brought to justice.
“If you cut off the money, the weapons and the safe havens, the enemies will have nowhere to hide,” he said, stressing the need for tighter financial controls and interagency cooperation.
Adeboye called for improved intelligence-sharing between security agencies, stricter monitoring of financial flows, and decisive legal action against individuals and networks that provide material support to violent groups.
According to him, if US government carries out its invasion of Nigeria, other bigger countries would only condemn it but they would never stop Donald Trump.
“China, Russia, Britain will not stop the invasion, they will only talk and stop,’ Adeboye said.
The cleric’s appeal adds to growing public debate about comprehensive approaches to insecurity in Nigeria — discussions that include military operations, policing, community engagement, and curbing illicit funding channels.
Context: In recent months the federal government has stepped up military operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other violent actors, while also being urged by civil society and some faith leaders to tackle corruption, illegal mining, and smuggling channels that can finance insecurity.
What happens next: The presidency and security agencies have not issued a response to Adeboye’s remarks at the time of filing. If you would like, I can draft a follow-up story seeking official reaction from the Presidential Communication Team and the Defence and Finance Ministries.
