Nigeria's Army Chief Vows "Failure Is Not An Option" In Fight Against Islamists

Nigeria's new army chief has promised to increase operations against terrorists in the country's north, stating that failure is "not an option" as the military enters a critical phase of the decade long conflict.

Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, speaking to troops in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in northeast Nigeria on Friday, emphasized that the new push must succeed. His remarks came less than a week after US President Donald Trump threatened military involvement if Nigeria did not stop attacks on Christians.

"You have been training to defeat the terrorists. This time, you are going to do it differently," Shaibu told the assembled troops. "All combat enablers have been provided. New platforms have been introduced, all to ensure that you succeed."

On November 1, Trump threatened to end all aid and assistance to Nigeria and "wipe out the Islamic Terrorists" in the country. He also designated Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" for allegedly failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.

Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu pushed back on Trump's characterization, stating that Nigeria opposes religious persecution and has constitutional guarantees to protect citizens of all faiths. "Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so," Tinubu said.

Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, also rejected claims of widespread persecution of Christians, stressing that the nation's primary security concern remains terrorism. "There are no Christians being persecuted in Nigeria. We are facing insecurity, especially terrorism," Oluyede said.

Nigeria's population of 220 million is split almost equally between Christians and Muslims. The country has long faced insecurity from various fronts, including the Boko Haram extremist group, which seeks to establish its radical interpretation of Islamic law and has targeted both Christians and Muslims.

THE CRUSADER'S OPINION

Trump's threat worked. Within days, Nigeria's army chief declared failure is not an option. New operations launched. New platforms deployed. Tens of thousands of Christians have been killed by Boko Haram and ISIS over fifteen years. Nigeria's government claims there's no Christian persecution while Christians die. Trump called it out and threatened action. Now Nigeria scrambles to respond. This is what happens when America stands for persecuted Christians.

TAKE ACTION

Support persecuted Christians in Nigeria and demand continued American pressure:

1. Voice of the Martyrs
   Website: https://www.persecution.com
   Nigeria Fund: https://www.persecution.com/give/?country=nigeria
   Contact: thevoice@vom-usa.org | Phone: 1-800-747-0085
   Action: Donate to VOM's Nigeria emergency fund. Request prayer updates for Nigerian Christians facing Boko Haram and ISIS attacks.
2. Open Doors USA
   Website: https://www.opendoorsusa.org
   Contact: info@odusa.org | Phone: 1-888-524-2535
   Action: Nigeria ranks 6th on the World Watch List. Donate to their Nigeria crisis response and request advocacy materials.
3. Contact President Trump
   White House: 202-456-1111
   Email: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
   Action: Thank President Trump for threatening action and designating Nigeria a country of particular concern. Urge him to maintain pressure until Christian persecution ends.
4. Contact Congress
   Find officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
   Action: Demand Congress support Trump's Nigeria designation and condition all aid on protecting Christians. Reference the tens of thousands killed since 2009.

Talking Points:

• "Trump's threat forced Nigeria to act. America must stand for persecuted Christians"
• "Tens of thousands killed by Boko Haram and ISIS. This is genocide"
• "Nigeria's army chief now says failure is not an option. Keep the pressure on"