LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Mixed reactions have trailed Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s call for Nigeria’s security chiefs to eliminate terrorists within 90 days or resign, with many social media users revisiting the controversial prayer walk held during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
In a video shared on his X account, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, expressed concern over the worsening security situation across the country.
“And tell our security chiefs, get rid of these terrorists within 90 days, or resign,” he stated, maintaining that security leaders should either deliver results within three months or step down from their positions.
Explaining his position, Adeboye said security chiefs must be held accountable for their performance.
“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. But I’ve tried. And God is my witness… 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,” Pastor Adeboye said.
The RCCG leader also insisted that those funding violent groups should face the same level of action, regardless of their status or political influence.
“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 stated.
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Adeboye further recalled an encounter with a late former Nigerian president who, according to him, once gave security chiefs a similar ultimatum to crush Boko Haram within three months.
“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 added.
The clergy added that the directive initially produced results because security agencies responded quickly, although he believes the order was not fully enforced after the deadline expired.
However, while Adeboye’s comments focused on national security, many Nigerians online shifted attention to the church leader’s past actions during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Several users revived discussions about a widely debated prayer walk that took place years ago, with critics questioning whether religious leaders have maintained the same level of public engagement across different administrations.
Reacting to the video, Al Pacino wrote, “Lol the president’s wife is a pastor in your church which makes it easier to see him oh are you into content creating now. Please do what you did during Goodluck and the advice you gave Buhari privately is now been given openly lol daddy e funny gaanii oo.”
Monnyx49 also revisited the long-running controversy surrounding the prayer walk, saying, “You’re lying riit in front of our faces what a shame, calling the protest you did during GEJ regime ‘Prayer Walk’ 😆🤣😅 🤣 😂 😹 God said judgment will start from the church they should continue deceiving their useless selves and gullible, moronic followers of RCCG church.”
Another user, BobEcheonwu, questioned the timing of the cleric’s recommendations, writing, “If I were asked to make suggestions… So these people think this thing is a joke? They’re still waiting to be ‘asked’ and to make ‘suggestions’ even as people are being killed & kidnapped literally per minute. He’s even making the suggestions to security chiefs & not Tinubu?”
Meanwhile, Omo Akin defended Adeboye, arguing that a popular image often circulated online had been wrongly interpreted.
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“So the Picture of Pastor Adeboye circulating online long ago as a protest against Jonathan was lie, it was a prayer walk of RCCG during Buhari’s Regime in 2020, omo some of you should seek forgiveness from God oo,” the user stated.
Others accused religious leaders of applying different standards under different governments.
One user identified as Destiny wrote, “I saw your handler say we shouldn’t expect you to lead a protest because you’re old. But the president is older. Were you young during GEJ’s time? Pastor, this level of double standard is exactly what’s killing this country. #endkillinginNigeria 🇳🇬.”
Similarly, Blessed questioned the contrast between past public demonstrations and current calls for prayer, stating, “How can you protest as a Pastor when fuel was ₦95, but now that it’s ₦1,350 you’re saying Let’s pray?”
The online conversation continues to grow, highlighting how Adeboye’s latest security recommendations have reopened old political debates, with supporters and critics offering sharply different interpretations of his role during previous administrations.
