The Federal Government says last week’s high-level engagements between a Nigerian delegation and top United States officials have paved the way for deeper security cooperation aimed at bolstering national safety and protecting vulnerable communities across the country.
According to a statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the delegation was led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and met with senior officials at the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.
During the series of engagements in Washington, D.C., the Nigerian delegation firmly refuted allegations of genocide in the country, stressing that violent attacks have affected individuals across religious and ethnic lines. The team rejected what it described as wrongful framing of Nigeria’s security challenges, warning that such narratives could deepen divisions and misrepresent on-the-ground realities.
Following the discussions, the US Government reaffirmed its readiness to strengthen security ties with Nigeria. This commitment includes enhanced intelligence support, faster processing of defence equipment requests, and the potential supply of excess defence articles—subject to availability—to support ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
The US also expressed willingness to offer complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical aid to improve early-warning systems.
Both countries agreed to immediately implement a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group to drive coordinated action on the identified priority areas.
In turn, the Nigerian delegation restated the government’s commitment to reinforcing civilian protection measures across conflict-prone regions.
According to the statement, the discussions helped correct misconceptions about Nigeria’s security challenges, strengthened trust between both nations, and advanced a shared strategy for protecting vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt.
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The Federal Government urged citizens to remain confident that firm, urgent, and coordinated measures are being taken to secure the country amid heightened sensitivities around religious freedom and security.
Members of 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, Ms. Idayat Hassan; and Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the NSA, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani.
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