The Presidency has announced that the United States Government is ready to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria, including the provision of enhanced intelligence support, defence equipment, and other resources to strengthen ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
This announcement follows last week’s meetings between a high-level Nigerian delegation and US officials aimed at strengthening security partnerships and exploring new avenues of collaboration.
The delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, met with senior representatives from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.
Other members of the delegation included Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and two officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
According to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian delegation refuted allegations of genocide in Nigeria, emphasizing that violent attacks affect communities across religious and ethnic lines.
They also rejected portrayals that could divide Nigerians or distort the realities on the ground.
“The discussions provided ample opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, forged a constructive, solution-driven partnership with the United States, reinforced mutual trust, and advanced a coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt.”
“The United States also expressed its willingness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical support to strengthen early-warning mechanisms,” Onanuga said.
Both countries agreed to implement a non-binding cooperation framework immediately and to establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate the agreed areas of support.
The Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening civilian protection measures.
“The Federal Government restates its awareness of heightened sensitivities regarding religious freedom and security, and urges citizens to remain assured that firm, urgent, and coordinated steps are being taken to secure the nation,” Onanuga added.
The announcement comes weeks after former US President Donald Trump threatened to deploy US forces into Nigeria with “guns-a-blazing” if the country did not halt what he described as the killing of Christians by terrorists.
He had also labeled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern”, citing what he called a “mass slaughter.”
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump said.
