Fresh details have emerged from the meeting between US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as the United States intensifies pressure on Abuja over rising insecurity and targeted extremist attacks.
The talks, held at the Pentagon, focused on the surge in violence linked to jihadist groups and increasing threats against Christian communities across Nigeria.
According to US officials, the discussion was urgent and direct, with Hegseth pushing for firmer and sustained action from the Federal Government.
Hegseth later shared highlights of the meeting on his X page, describing the situation as horrific and stressing Washington’s commitment to supporting Nigeria.
He wrote that the US, under former President Biden’s administration, is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.
Pentagon sources confirmed that Hegseth urged Nigeria to take immediate and lasting measures to stop attacks on Christian populations.
He also emphasized Washington’s interest in deeper security cooperation to help deter and degrade terrorist networks that threaten both Nigeria and the United States.
The meeting took place a month after President Donald Trump warned that Christian communities in Nigeria faced an “existential threat,” cautioning that the US could consider military intervention if the killings continued unchecked.
In a separate development, Congressman Riley Moore disclosed that he also met with the Nigerian delegation in Washington.
He described their conversation as frank, honest, and productive, noting that the dialogue covered counterterrorism support, intelligence sharing, security assistance and measures to protect vulnerable groups affected by extremist attacks.
The Nigerian delegation featured several top government and security officials, including Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede; and Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye.
The high-level engagements underscore Washington’s growing concern and signal a renewed push for Nigeria to strengthen its internal security response and improve coordination with international allies.
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