• The statement followed a meeting on Wednesday between Congressman Riley M. Moore and a delegation of senior Nigerian government officials led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu during their visit to Washington, D.C.
The United States War Department says it is working closely with the Nigerian government to end what it describes as “jihadists terrorists” attacks in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the Secretary of US War Department, who stated on X: “Yesterday, I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country.”
“Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists,” he posted on Friday.
The statement followed a meeting on Wednesday between Congressman Riley M. Moore and a delegation of senior Nigerian government officials led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu during their visit to Washington, D.C.
Members of the delegation included Ribadu; Her Excellency Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation Chief Lateef Olasunkami Fagbemi, SAN; Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. EAP Undiendeye; Special Adviser to ONSA Idayat Hassan; Director of Foreign Relations, ONSA, Ambassador Ibrahim Babani; Acting CDA, Embassy of Nigeria, Ambassador Nuru Biu; and Paul Alabi of the Embassy’s Political and Economic Section.
According to the statement, the meeting “allowed for a frank, honest, and productive discussion about the ongoing persecution of Christians and ongoing terrorist threats in Nigeria and opportunities for strengthened cooperation and coordination between the United States and Nigeria to end the bloodshed.”
It added that the Nigerian delegation “shared their government’s challenges and concerns regarding counterterrorism, security assistance, protection of vulnerable communities, and ongoing issues involving violence across Nigeria.”
The release noted that Congressman Moore “clearly stated that the United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria,” adding that “as President Trump made abundantly clear, the United States will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution.” It further stressed that “President Trump does not make idle threats.”
It added that Moore “will continue monitoring new developments and pushing the Nigerian government to accept the open hand of cooperation to stop the ongoing persecution and violence against Christians and combat the threat terrorist groups pose to the Nigerian population.”
Moore also issued a detailed statement after the meeting. “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,” he said.
“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.”
It was gathered that United States House Appropriations Committee is preparing to submit a report to the White House on what it describes as “genocide against Christians in Nigeria.”
President Donald Trump had earlier announced that he had redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” in response to allegations of genocide against Christians.
He wrote on Truth Social: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it,” he posted.
He also suggested that the United States may consider a military operation in Nigeria if the “killings of Christians” continue.
Moore, who chairs the investigative committee set up by Trump to examine the alleged killings, also accused the Nigerian government of failing to justify the extensive military assistance it has received from Washington. He lamented that the ongoing genocide allegations have been met with global indifference.
It was earlier reported that five days after the attack and abduction of 25 students in Kebbi State, gunmen on Friday morning stormed St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of students and teachers.
The incident was confirmed by Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara Local Government, and Bello Gidi, media aide to the chairman of the local government.
Sahara Reporters