United States War Secretary Pete Hegseth has called for urgent action towards addressing violence against Christians in Nigeria.
Hegseth made the call during a high-level meeting between him and Nigeria’s delegation, led by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on November 20 at the Pentagon.
This was revealed in a statement released by the Office of the War Secretary.
The engagement followed US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to launch military action against jihadist groups accused of targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria. The US President had also designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) over alleged systematic persecution of Christians.
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The Nigerian delegation included the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede.
According to Sean Parnell, Public Affairs Assistant and Advisor to the Secretary of War, during the meeting, both sides focused on strategies to halt violence against Christians and to counter West African jihadist networks.
“Secretary Hegseth emphasised the need for Nigeria to demonstrate commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians and conveyed the Department’s desire to work by, with, and through Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States,” Parnell noted.
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The meeting is part of ongoing diplomatic engagements following heightened tensions over the US President’s remarks and Washington’s deepening concerns about religiously motivated violence in Nigeria.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
