The Presidency has announced that the United States Government has confirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria.
This support will include enhanced intelligence sharing, defence equipment, and other resources to strengthen ongoing operations against terrorist and violent extremist groups in the country.
The announcement follows high-level discussions held last week in Washington, DC, between a Nigerian delegation and senior US officials. The meetings focused on strengthening the security partnership between the two nations and exploring new avenues for collaboration.
The Nigerian delegation was led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and included the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, and the Inspector General of Police. They met with senior representatives from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of Defence.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, a key part of the engagement involved refuting allegations of genocide in Nigeria. The delegation stressed that violent attacks affect families and communities across all religious and ethnic groups, and warned that misrepresentations of the situation risk deepening divisions and distorting realities on the ground.
The Presidency noted that the discussions provided an opportunity to address misconceptions, build a constructive partnership with the United States, reinforce mutual trust, and advance a coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt.
The United States also expressed willingness to provide complementary support, including humanitarian aid for affected populations and technical assistance to strengthen early-warning systems. Both countries agreed to implement a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group to coordinate efforts across the agreed areas. In turn, the Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing civilian protection measures.
The Federal Government emphasised its awareness of sensitivities around religious freedom and security, assuring citizens that urgent, firm, and coordinated actions are being taken to safeguard the nation.
The Presidency’s announcement comes weeks after US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning, declaring that he would deploy US forces to Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” if the country failed to address what he described as the killing of Christians by terrorists. Trump had also previously labelled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over these incidents.
He went further by threatening to halt all aid and directing the Department of Defence to prepare for “possible action” to “completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists.”
In response, President Bola Tinubu rejected the allegations of genocide against Christians, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom and tolerance.
