National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu led a Nigerian delegation to the United States to engage with top defense officials following a controversial threat by US President Donald Trump to deploy American troops to Nigeria.
Trump had said he would instruct the US military to enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to “wipe out the Islamic Terrorists” he claimed were targeting Christians.
Acting on directives from President Bola Tinubu, Ribadu’s delegation included Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi; and Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede.
On Wednesday, the team met with US Congressman Riley Moore, known for his persistent claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria. The delegation later held discussions with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday evening, joined by Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
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According to ABC News, two US defense officials confirmed the Ribadu-Hegseth meeting. The session was not listed on public schedules, and Ribadu’s arrival was closed to the press.
The meetings coincided with a congressional hearing addressing alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. During the hearing, Jonathan Pratt, senior official at the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, confirmed that the Nigerian delegation would also meet with other State Department officials and military representatives. Pratt noted that the State Department plans to work with Nigeria on measures, including the creation of a task force, to address the concerns raised.
Meanwhile, US Congresswoman Sara Jacobs criticized Trump’s threat, calling it “reckless.” She emphasized that Congress had not authorized military intervention in Nigeria and warned that any action without Nigerian consent would breach international law.
