In a diplomatic development that could reshape international perceptions about Nigeria’s security crisis, the Federal Government has revealed that a top-tier Nigerian delegation and senior United States officials have reached a new understanding aimed at tackling the country’s persistent violence and insecurity.
The delegation, led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, held a series of sensitive meetings in Washington, DC, engaging senior figures across the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War. The discussions come amid allegations circulating internationally that Nigeria is experiencing a “Christian genocide,” a claim that has sparked global concern and controversy.
According to President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the engagements were not only productive but have also paved the way for stronger security cooperation between both nations. He explained that the outcome of the meetings has opened fresh channels for joint efforts focused on protecting Nigerian citizens and addressing the root causes of insecurity.
Onanuga revealed that the Nigerian delegation firmly rejected claims of any government-enabled or religiously targeted genocide, stressing that violence in the country affects communities across all religious and ethnic divides. He said the team made it clear that misrepresenting Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted war against Christians distorts the facts and risks deepening national divisions at a time when unity is critical.
“The delegation strongly rejected wrongful framing of the situation, saying such would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground,” he noted, emphasizing that all parties agreed on the need for nuanced, evidence-based assessments.
With Nigeria battling a complex web of insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes, the latest collaboration with the United States signals a renewed push for international support and a more accurate global understanding of the nation’s security landscape.