Nigeria’s most prominent Pentecostal cleric, Enoch Adeboye, has publicly called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue a 90-day ultimatum to the country’s security chiefs to eliminate terrorists and their sponsors, warning that continued delays in tackling insecurity are no longer acceptable.
Speaking during a recent church service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Adeboye said the directive should apply “regardless of how highly placed” those behind the violence may be. The cleric’s remarks come as Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread banditry, kidnappings, and insurgent attacks across several regions.
In the widely circulated video, Adeboye drew parallels with a previous administration, recalling how he confronted then-President Muhammadu Buhari after a similar deadline to end the Boko Haram insurgency failed to produce results. While he did not mention Buhari by name, the reference was widely interpreted as relating to that period.
“We cannot continue like this,” Adeboye said, according to attendees. “There must be accountability, and those responsible for protecting lives and property must be given clear timelines.”
His intervention follows renewed public outrage over recent incidents, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State and persistent attacks in parts of northern and central Nigeria. The incidents have intensified pressure on the federal government to demonstrate more effective control over the security situation.
Reactions to Adeboye’s comments have been mixed. Supporters argue that the cleric is using his influence to demand accountability at a time when many Nigerians feel vulnerable. “He is speaking what millions are thinking,” said one RCCG member in Lagos. “If deadlines are not set, nothing changes.”
Critics, however, question why the focus is on security chiefs rather than the presidency itself. Some analysts note that while operational responsibility lies with military and intelligence leaders, ultimate authority and strategic direction come from the commander-in-chief.
Security experts say the call for a fixed timeline reflects growing frustration but caution that counterinsurgency efforts are complex and often resistant to rigid deadlines. “Setting targets can help focus efforts,” said Abuja-based analyst Kabiru Adamu, “but dismantling networks like bandits and insurgent groups requires sustained intelligence, coordination, and political will.”
The presidency has yet to formally respond to Adeboye’s remarks. However, officials have previously maintained that the government is intensifying operations and investing in new strategies to curb insecurity nationwide.
As Nigeria continues to confront evolving security threats, Adeboye’s intervention underscores a broader public demand: not just promises, but measurable results. Whether the call for a 90-day ultimatum translates into policy action remains to be seen, but it has once again placed the spotlight on the urgency of restoring safety across the country.