United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has announced that the U.S. government is intensifying coordinated efforts with Nigeria to address what it describes as the widespread killing and persecution of Christians by jihadist groups in the country.
Mr. Hegseth disclosed this in a post on X on Friday, just one day after holding a high-level security meeting with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and members of his delegation in Washington, D.C.
According to him, the U.S. Department of War (DOW), under the leadership of President Donald Trump, is committed to working directly with Nigerian authorities to halt ongoing violence.
“Under the President’s leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists,”
Mr. Hegseth wrote.
He further noted that his meeting with Mr. Ribadu focused specifically on the “horrific violence” being suffered by Christian communities, adding that the United States expects decisive action from Nigeria to address the situation.
Nigerian Delegation in Washington After Trump’s Threat
The Nigerian security delegation, led by NSA Nuhu Ribadu, traveled to the United States as diplomatic engagement intensified following President Trump’s public threat to deploy American soldiers to Nigeria.
Trump had earlier accused Nigerian authorities of failing to stop what he described as “Christian genocide,” warning that the U.S. could intervene militarily to neutralize the terrorist groups allegedly responsible.
In response, the Nigerian government dispatched senior officials to Washington to de-escalate tensions, clarify the country’s security challenges, and reaffirm its commitment to protecting all citizens regardless of religious affiliation.
Engagement With U.S. Lawmakers
As part of their visit, the Nigerian delegation also met with Riley Moore, one of the most prominent U.S. lawmakers advocating for a stronger American stance on alleged religious persecution in Nigeria.
Mr. Moore, recently appointed by President Trump to lead an investigation into the killings of Christians, disclosed that he emphasized the need for Nigeria to take more forceful and transparent action against extremist groups.
According to him, the dialogue was frank and focused on concrete steps Nigeria must take to prevent further deterioration of security conditions.
Escalating Diplomatic Stakes
The strong comments from top U.S. officials, coupled with threats of possible military involvement, have elevated the issue to a major diplomatic flashpoint between the two nations.
For Washington, the alleged targeting of Christian communities has become a central concern, prompting unprecedented pressure on Abuja.
For Nigeria, the situation presents a delicate balancing act:
- maintaining national sovereignty,
- avoiding international intervention, and
- addressing longstanding internal security weaknesses.
Officials familiar with the discussions say both sides are working to avoid escalation while seeking practical approaches to counter terrorism and protect vulnerable communities.
Broader Implications
Analysts warn that the U.S. framing of the crisis primarily as “Christian persecution” may complicate Nigeria’s efforts to present the issue as part of a wider struggle against terrorism affecting citizens of all faiths.
However, the high-level meetings demonstrate Nigeria’s recognition that U.S. political attention—especially under the current administration—cannot be ignored.
The coming weeks are expected to determine whether collaboration deepens into joint operations, enhanced intelligence sharing, or shifts in Nigeria’s on-ground military strategy.
📚 References
- U.S. Department of War – Readout of Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Meeting With Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
- The Cable – “We Are Preparing for Action in Nigeria,” Says U.S. War Secretary.
- AllAfrica / Daily Trust – U.S. War Secretary Confirms Aggressive Collaboration With Nigeria Over Christian Killings.
- Vanguard Nigeria – Ribadu Meets U.S. Defence Leadership Amid Trump’s Warning on Christian Killings.
- Leadership Newspaper – U.S. Defence Secretary Says Department Is Preparing for Action in Nigeria.
- Al Jazeera – Nigeria Rejects Genocide Claims as U.S. Signals Possible Action.
- PM News Nigeria – We Are Preparing to Intervene in Nigeria, Says U.S. War Secretary.
