The United States Government has pledged to deepen security collaboration with Nigeria, offering enhanced intelligence support and military equipment to bolster ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
The announcement followed high-level meetings in Washington, DC, between senior Nigerian officials, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and key US government agencies, including the State Department, National Security Council, and Department of War.
The engagements were aimed at reinforcing defence ties and exploring new areas of cooperation to address rising insecurity in the country.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that the Nigerian delegation also used the meetings to clarify misconceptions about the country’s security situation.
“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,” Onanuga said.
The cooperation framework agreed upon by both countries will include humanitarian assistance for affected populations, technical support to strengthen early-warning mechanisms, and the establishment of a Joint Working Group to coordinate priority security actions.
The delegation, which included the Attorney General of the Federation, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Defence Intelligence, and Inspector General of Police, emphasised that violent attacks in Nigeria cut across religious and ethnic lines, dismissing claims of targeted genocide.
Onanuga noted that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting civilians and promoting religious freedom.
“The government is taking firm, urgent, and coordinated steps to secure the nation and address security challenges while ensuring respect for religious and community rights,” he added, affirming that both countries are ready to immediately begin implementing the cooperation framework.
The move comes amid heightened global scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation, including comments by former US President Donald Trump threatening military intervention over attacks on Christian communities.
President Bola Tinubu has consistently refuted claims of genocide, reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to tolerance, unity, and protection for all citizens regardless of faith or ethnicity.
