US agrees to provide security assistance to help end the violence raging across Nigeria

WASHINGTON has agreed provide Nigeria with assistance that will enable it to combat the growing insecurity ravaging the country following a recent meeting between both governments in response to President Donald Trump's intervention into the matter.

Earlier this month, US president Donald Trump declared that Nigerian Christians were being persecuted and called for the redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). He further added that he may consider sending the US military into Nigeria in a bid to resolve the problem.

In response to this threat, President Bola Tinubu sent a high-level Nigerian delegation to the US to talk to officials there and both sides have now agreed to collaborate to end the protracted security challenges. Apparently, this delegation, led by the Nigeria's national security adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, met with senior officials across the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council and the Department of War.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, said the discussion will help strengthen security partnerships between Nigeria and the US. He noted that the outcome of the meeting has also opened new avenues for cooperation to protect Nigerian citizens.

In addition, Mr Onanuga stated that during the engagements which took place in Washington DC, the Nigerian delegation refuted allegations of genocide in Nigeria. He added that the Nigerian delegation to the US insisted that violent attacks in Nigeria affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines.

Mr Onanuga said: “The delegation strongly rejected the wrongful framing of the situation, saying such would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground. Following these engagements, the United States government affirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria.

“This includes 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 United States also expressed its willingness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical support to strengthen early-warning mechanisms.”

According to Mr Onanuga, both countries agreed to immediately implement a non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a joint working group to ensure a unified and coordinated approach to the agreed areas of cooperation. He added that in return, the Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening civilian protection measures.