• Onanuga: Tinubu to return after Easter
• Easter: CAN demands new security strategy in Northern Nigeria
• Rising terrorist attacks won’t weaken our operations, says CDS Musa

Amid escalating insecurity, widespread killings and growing criticism from opposition figures, the Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s continued stay abroad, dismissing claims that he is ‘fiddling while Rome burns’.

It added that the president remains fully engaged in national governance despite being temporarily out of the country for nearly two weeks. It also said the President will return after the Easter holidays.

In a statement yesterday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the president, who travelled from Paris to London at the weekend, “remains fully engaged in Nigeria’s governance” and is in “constant communication with key government officials.”

Onanuga added that the President has given “directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.”

With the upsurge in killings reported in Benue and Plateau states, opposition leaders had asked Tinubu to return home immediately from his vacation. Both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who were Tinubu’s keen rivals in the 2023 elections, said the president’s continuous stay overseas was unjustifiable.

But Onanuga defended his principal, saying the President’s absence remains temporary and in line with the communicated timeframe of approximately two weeks.

“The President left Paris for London at the weekend and has maintained constant communication with key government officials, overseeing critical national matters, including directives to security chiefs to address emerging threats in some parts of the country.

“His return to Abuja and the resumption of duties at Aso Villa will follow the conclusion of the Easter holiday. The President’s commitment to his duties remains unwavering, and his administration continues to function effectively under his leadership. We appreciate the public’s concern and assure all Nigerians that governance proceeds without interruption. ”

This is as the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Obi, has lauded the Northern Traditional Rulers for condemning the scourge of insecurity in the country, noting that the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, alongside other traditional rulers from the region are more concerned with the spate of killings and insecurity in Nigeria than the average politician in the country.

Speaking at the Northern Traditional Rulers Council’s 7th Executive Committee Meeting in Maiduguri, the sultan said they have come together as servants of the nation to discuss contentious security issues in a closed-door meeting.

“Our coming together as traditional rulers in the North, I believe, we have more than 86 in the North. We will speak with one voice to say ‘enough is enough’ of this senseless killing of innocent people across the North and across the country.

“We have released so many statements of condemnation, but how many times do we need to condemn these killings before our political leaders and security agencies stop or reduce the insecurity in the country to the barest minimum?” he said.

Obi, while reacting to the ‘Enough is Enough’ declaration of the royal fathers on the security situation, said that their courageous steps are needed to find a lasting solution to the menace.

Writing on his X handle on Thursday, Obi said: “I would like to sincerely thank the Northern Traditional Rulers for their courageous and timely emergency declaration of the security situation in the region. I cannot agree less with them that “Enough is Enough” regarding the persistent killings and insecurity plaguing our nation.

“Their collective voice, as reported, underscores the urgent need for decisive action to protect lives and restore peace in our communities. I urge governments at all levels to work closely with these royal fathers who are closest to the people at the grassroots. Their commitment to addressing these challenges and offering counsel to regional governors reflects true leadership and a deep concern for the well-being of their communities.

“The stance of the Northern Traditional Rulers serves as a clarion call to all stakeholders. We must unite, irrespective of political affiliations, to implement lasting solutions that address the root causes of our nation’s challenges. Let us work together to build a Nigeria where every citizen feels safe, valued, and empowered”.

Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called for renewed national sacrifice, strongly emphasising tackling insecurity, empowering women, and prioritising girl-child education as critical tools for rebuilding Northern Nigeria.

In an Easter message he issued, its chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab decried the persistent violence in parts of the North, particularly in Plateau and Benue states, describing the situation as a stain on the nation’s conscience and a threat to future stability.

According to the statement, “the Easter season should awaken our collective conscience, it is a time to rise above selfish interests, disunity and fear, especially as Northern Nigeria grapples with insecurity, moral decline, and leadership failure.”

CAN expressed deep concern over the impact of ongoing attacks and displacement on families and communities, urging the government at all levels to act with “urgency, compassion, and conscience”.

The Christian body called for a new strategic approach, compensation for victims of violence, and the implementation of community-based peacebuilding and trauma-healing initiatives.

The renewed wage of insecurity notwithstanding, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has assured Nigerians that the recent surge in terrorist attacks will not deter the Armed Forces from intensifying efforts to combat terrorism across the country. Musa gave the assurance while breaking the fast with Christian military personnel at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

His statement came in the wake of concerns raised by Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, at a Special Expanded Security Meeting (SESM) in Maiduguri, where he lamented persistent terrorist attacks on communities, the killing of civilians, displacement of military formations, and rising cases of abductions.

Terrorists had attacked four military formations in the state and dislodged troops. Many civilians and security agents were killed. According to him, the insurgents operate without confrontation or resistance, indicating they are gaining more ground.

But the defence Chief in a statement by the Director Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, said troops are more dedicated to duty despite difficult challenges. He noted that President Bola Tinubu was committed to providing the military with needed resources and equipment to prosecute the fight against terrorists and other enemies of the country.

“The CDS noted that the task ahead was no doubt daunting and called on personnel to work together as a team for more success stories in all the theatres of operation across the nation,” the statement said.

“He also noted that although there was a notable increase in the tempo of attacks, that would not diminish the military efforts in combating the scourge. He therefore charged Armed Forces members to forge forward, remain focused and be committed always.”

As Christians across Nigeria celebrate Easter, the defence chief reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to national security, peace, and stability, describing the season as one of deep reflection and renewal.

He urged members of the AFN to draw strength from the message of Easter—sacrifice, courage, and triumph over adversity, the qualities he said are vital in the fight to secure the country.

“Every day, our troops embody the spirit of Easter through their selfless service, unwavering dedication, and loyalty to the nation. Their commitment to peace and security remains the bedrock of Nigeria’s stability,” he said.

Musa paid tribute to fallen military personnel who paid the ultimate price in defence of the country. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of wounded soldiers and comfort for their families, while reaffirming that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.