Starrays
By Our Correspondent
The Presidency has announced that the Government of the United States has reaffirmed its readiness to strengthen security cooperation with Nigeria, including enhanced intelligence sharing, defence equipment support, and other assistance to bolster ongoing counterterrorism and counter–extremism operations.
This renewed commitment follows a series of high-level engagements held in Washington, D.C., last week between senior U.S. officials and a Nigerian delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. The meetings aimed at expanding bilateral security ties and exploring new areas of collaboration.
The delegation also included the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; as well as senior officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
In a statement issued on Monday, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Nigerian team used the engagements to address and refute allegations of genocide in the country. According to him, the delegation stressed that violent attacks affect Nigerians across religious and ethnic lines, and warned that mischaracterizing the situation risks deepening divisions and misrepresenting on-ground realities.
Onanuga noted that the talks provided an opportunity to correct misconceptions, rebuild trust, and strengthen a “constructive, solution-driven partnership” between both countries. He added that the United States signalled willingness to provide additional humanitarian support to affected communities in the Middle Belt, along with technical assistance to improve early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms.
Both sides also agreed to immediately activate a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate next steps. The Nigerian delegation, in turn, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening civilian protection and addressing security challenges with urgency and transparency.
“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,” the statement added.
Trump’s Recent Remarks
The Presidency’s statement comes weeks after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened potential military action in Nigeria if the country failed to curb what he described as the killing of Christians by terrorists. Trump had also designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern,” alleging widespread persecution.
“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,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that he had instructed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for “possible action.”
President Bola Tinubu, however, dismissed allegations of genocide against Christians, emphasizing that Nigeria remains committed to upholding religious freedom, diversity, and peaceful coexistence.
