The federal government has announced that a high-level Nigerian delegation and United States officials have reached an agreement to work together in tackling the nation’s persistent security challenges.
The delegation, led by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, met last week with senior officials across the U.S. Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War to discuss allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria.
Speaking on the outcomes of the meeting, President Bola Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said the engagements would strengthen security partnerships between the two countries and open new avenues for protecting Nigerian citizens.
According to Onanuga, the Nigerian delegation rejected claims of genocide, emphasizing that violent attacks in Nigeria impact families and communities across religious and ethnic lines.
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“The delegation strongly rejected wrongful framing of the situation, saying such would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground,” he said.
U.S Ready to Cooperate With Nigeria On Security
Following the discussions, the U.S. government affirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria.
This includes enhanced intelligence sharing, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and potential provision of excess defence articles, subject to availability, to support ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
The United States also pledged complementary support, including humanitarian assistance for affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical aid to strengthen early-warning systems.
Onanuga further stated that both countries agreed to implement a non-binding cooperation framework immediately and to establish a Joint Working Group to ensure a coordinated approach to the agreed areas of collaboration.
In return, the Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening civilian protection measures.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
