Maiduguri, Nigeria - Nigeria's new army chief, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized a heightened commitment to combatting terrorism in the nation's northeast on Friday.

His comments come shortly after US President Donald Trump issued threats regarding military involvement if Nigeria failed to stop attacks on Christians.

Addressing troops in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, Shaibu underlined the imperative for success in the ongoing conflict, now entering its tenth year.

He stated that failure was 'not an option,' as the military gears up for what could be a decisive phase in the struggle against groups such as Boko Haram.

Trump's remarks, made on November 1st, suggested a complete cessation of aid and assistance to Nigeria, alongside the threat to directly combat Islamic terrorism.

This statement was met with resistance from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who contested Trump's designation of Nigeria as a 'country of particular concern' due to the alleged neglect of Christian protection.

It is important to note that experts have critiqued Trump’s comments for misrepresenting the complexity of the conflict in Nigeria.

The country's population stands at approximately 220 million, with nearly equal representation between Christians and Muslims.

Long-standing security challenges include not only Boko Haram but also disputes over dwindling resources, communal rivalries, secessionist activities, and ethnic conflicts.

While it is true that some attacks target Christians, the majority of victims attributable to these armed groups are Muslims, predominantly in Nigeria's Muslim-majority north where most incidents occur.

The multifaceted nature of these attacks underscores the necessity for a comprehensive approach to address security concerns in Nigeria.