A high-level federal delegation sent by the Nigerian government has concluded a series of meetings with US officials in Washington, resulting in fresh commitments to deepen security cooperation, enhance intelligence support, and strengthen joint efforts to protect civilians across Nigeria.
The engagements, held last week in Washington, D.C., brought together the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and senior officials from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.
The talks focused on security, defence collaboration, early-warning systems, and addressing international perceptions of Nigeria’s internal conflicts.
According to the statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), the Nigerian delegation consistently pushed back against claims of religious genocide, stressing that “violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines.”
The delegation, he said, “strongly rejected wrongful framing of the situation, saying such would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground.”
Following the discussions, the United States affirmed that it is prepared to broaden its partnership with Nigeria, including “enhanced intelligence support, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and the potential provision of excess defence articles, subject to availability, to reinforce ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.”
The statement added that the US government also expressed readiness to “extend complementary support,” which includes humanitarian assistance for affected communities in the Middle Belt and technical backing to strengthen early, warning systems.
Both sides agreed to immediately implement a non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a Joint Working Group that will coordinate progress in all agreed areas. In return, the Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving civilian protection measures nationwide.
Onanuga noted that the week-long engagements “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, especially in the Middle Belt.”
He added that the Federal Government remains aware of heightened global sensitivities regarding security and religious freedom, urging Nigerians to remain confident that “firm, urgent, and coordinated steps are being taken to secure the nation.”
The delegation included Attorney General of the Federation Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa; Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye; Special Adviser to the NSA Idayat Hassan; and Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Ademide Adebayo
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