The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, have called for stronger U.S. support in addressing terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria.
The clerics made the appeal during the 2026 Faith Defender Award Gala held June 23 at the Hilton Garden Inn on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., according to a statement by Stephen Osemwegie, president of Save Nigeria Group USA.
Adeboye urged the United States and its allies to increase support for Nigeria’s efforts to combat insecurity.
“If you want to help us, help us more. No matter who is in office in Nigeria, only God can help us. Use your influence to help us,” he said.
Adeboye also praised U.S. President Donald Trump for his stance on terrorism, saying, “Thank God for Trump. He means business,” while adding that he did not agree with all of the president’s positions.
In a keynote address delivered on his behalf, Oyedepo described Nigeria as being “virtually at the brink of collapse” because of persistent terrorist attacks and violence.
“My heart bleeds,” he said, expressing support for proposed U.S. legislation aimed at strengthening accountability for terrorism-related atrocities in Nigeria.
Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback warned that Nigeria could face violent civil unrest if insecurity is not addressed.
“Nigeria is at a fork in the road. Address this insecurity or face violent civil unrest,” Brownback said.
Human rights advocate Katrina Swett called for greater U.S. involvement in protecting religious freedom and supporting victims of extremist violence.
“The future is in the hands of Nigerians, but America has powerful leverage to do more,” she said.
Osemwegie urged the U.S. Congress to pass the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act, saying it would strengthen accountability for terrorism-related crimes.
The event, themed “Thank You, America,” concluded a weeklong advocacy campaign that included meetings with U.S. lawmakers to promote greater international cooperation against terrorism.
Trump received the 2026 Faith Defender Award in recognition of what organizers described as his administration’s commitment to promoting religious freedom and combating terrorism globally.
