Rev. Sam Oye Urges Stronger Military Support, Warns Against Inflammatory Rhetoric
By Toyin Adebayo, Abuja
Renowned cleric and global leadership coach, Rev. Sam Oye, has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward strengthening Nigeria’s security institutions, fully equipping the Armed Forces, and deploying advanced technology to combat rising insecurity across the country.
Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at a press conference ahead of The Encounter ’25: A Global Worship Experience with the theme “ZOE”, the Lead Pastor of The Transforming Church emphasized that protecting the lives and property of citizens remains the primary constitutional duty of government.
“The major assignment of government is the protection of its citizenry — that’s constitutional everywhere around the world. If a government fails to protect her people, the government has failed indeed,” Rev. Oye stated.
While acknowledging the government’s ongoing efforts, he urged greater attention to military welfare and operational capacity.
“One of the things our government needs to do right now is to actually give attention to the military. The political class must make sure that the military gets the kind of equipment they need to carry out their duties. They also need motivation. You cannot send men to fight and not take care of them,” he added.
Advocates Use of Modern Security Technology
Rev. Oye called for the deployment of drones, enhanced air surveillance, and intelligence-led strategies to minimize troop exposure to danger.
“We can’t afford to be wasting the lives of our men when we can employ technology. Today, men don’t always have to be on the battlefield. We already know where these things are happening. Let’s deploy drones. Let’s ensure the Air Force is properly equipped.”
Church’s Role: Moral Compass, Not Military Force
The cleric emphasized that while the Church must continue to pray for national peace and good governance, it should not be seen as an extension of the security apparatus.
“The Church is not a security apparatus. Our role is to pray for those in authority, not to interfere with governance. We will continue to pray and speak truth to power, hoping that our leaders will have the moral courage to do what is right.”
Condemns Dangerous Speech That Could Fuel Conflict
He cautioned religious and political leaders against divisive statements, warning that incendiary rhetoric could worsen tensions and threaten national unity.
“Words start wars. Every nation that has gone to war — somebody said something. We must be careful with our rhetoric so that we do not inflame the situation and cause the destabilisation of Nigeria. That will benefit no one.”
Calls for Urgent Government Action as Killings Persist
Expressing concern over continued violence and displacement in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and parts of the North-East, Rev. Oye described the situation as unacceptable and demanded coordinated response measures to protect communities.
He appealed to religious leaders across all faiths to unite in promoting peace and supporting initiatives that enhance national cohesion.
“We can’t deny that people are being killed — it’s happening. But as the religious community, our prayers will be with the government. We will continue to pray for them to have the courage to do what is right and to protect the unity of our nation.”
Rev. Oye’s remarks drew strong resonance from attendees at the media briefing, which attracted both local and international media, reinforcing growing appeals for accountable leadership, strategic security reforms, and collective responsibility to safeguard Nigeria’s stability.
