We are ready to work with you to fight terrorism – US Congressman tells Nigerian delegation led by NSA Ribadu

We are ready to work with you to fight terrorism – US Congressman tells Nigerian delegation led by NSA Ribadu

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu on Wednesday led a high-level Nigerian delegation to Washington, D.C., as Nigeria intensified diplomatic efforts to counter growing allegations of Christian persecution in the country.

The accusations escalated after Vice-President Kashim Shettima publicly backed a two-state solution to the Israel–Gaza conflict. Earlier this month, former U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and tasked several lawmakers, including Congressman Riley Moore, with probing claims of religious repression and reporting back to him.

Despite multiple clarifications from Abuja insisting that the allegation is unfounded, U.S. officials have continued to treat the matter as credible.

Tensions rose further on Tuesday when American rapper Nicki Minaj appeared at a United Nations event to speak on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The Federal Government protested being excluded from the session, held at the UN headquarters in New York.

Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, Syndoph Endoni, condemned the decision to bar the country from the discussion, saying it amounted to “shaving our head in our absence.” The event was organised in partnership with the U.S. Mission to the UN.

Seeking to push back, the Nigerian delegation spent much of Wednesday detailing the country’s security situation to key figures promoting the genocide narrative.

Members of the delegation included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Olasunkami Fagbemi; Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede; and Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. EAP Undiendeye.

Also present were Special Adviser to the NSA Idayat Hassan; ONSA’s Director of Foreign Relations, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani; Acting Chargé d’Affaires at the Nigerian Embassy, Ambassador Nuru Biu; and Paul Alabi from the embassy’s Political and Economic Section.

Congressman Moore, who disclosed the meeting in a social media post, said the conversation was “frank, honest, and productive.” He noted that the Nigerian officials outlined their security concerns, counterterrorism efforts, and the broader challenges of protecting vulnerable communities amid ongoing violence in different parts of the country.

In a statement, Moore said, “Today, I had a frank, honest, and productive discussion with senior members of the Nigerian government regarding the horrific violence and persecution Christians face and the ongoing threat terrorism poses across Nigeria. I made it crystal clear that the United States must see tangible steps to ensure that Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death simply for believing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

“We stand ready to work cooperatively with the Nigerians to help their nation combat the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants against their population, specifically Christians in the Northeast and Middle Belt regions of Nigeria.

“The Nigerian government has the chance to strengthen and deepen its relationship with the United States. President Trump and Congress are united and serious in our resolve to end the violence against Christians and disrupt and destroy terrorist groups within Nigeria. I urge the Nigerians to work with us in cooperation and coordination on this critical issue.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian team had not issued any release on its US trip.