|By Adejumo Adekunle
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ben Adaji, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to officially designate individuals and groups condemning recent United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria as enemies of the nation.
Adaji made the call on Saturday in Jalingo, Taraba State, while reacting to criticisms by some Islamic clerics over reported US airstrikes on terrorist enclaves in parts of North-West Nigeria on Thursday evening.
He described the public condemnation of the US action as “the height of hypocrisy” and suggested that such reactions could point to complicity in the prolonged insecurity ravaging the country.
According to him, Nigerians have suffered immense losses from years of terrorist violence, noting that the scale of destruction in terms of lives, property and national image remains incalculable.
Adaji, a former House of Representatives candidate for Ankpa Federal Constituency in Kogi State, expressed shock that any Nigerian would sympathise with armed groups responsible for sustained killings and devastation across several regions.
He insisted that opposition to the airstrikes could indicate sponsorship or benefit from terrorist activities and urged President Tinubu to take a firm and uncompromising stance against such individuals.
The APC chieftain also called for an end to negotiations with armed groups, advocating a more decisive and sustained military approach to crush terrorism and related crimes.
Adaji further appealed to the United States to maintain and expand its military support to cover all insecurity flashpoints in the country, including areas plagued by banditry and attacks by armed herders.
Describing himself as an expert in human security and counter-terrorism, he urged the President and the National Security Adviser to ensure the public prosecution of anyone identified as a supporter of terrorist groups.
He warned against politicising insecurity, stressing that the crisis has claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed property worth billions of naira. He also maintained that religious leaders were not above the law, noting that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of violent attacks.
Adaji called on Nigerian security agencies to remain resolute in defending citizens and protecting the country’s territorial integrity, while urging the federal government to fully back what he described as genuine international interventions aimed at restoring peace and safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.
