US Pledges Stronger Intelligence, Military Support for Nigeria to Tackle Insecurity
The United States Government has expressed strong willingness to deepen its security cooperation with Nigeria after a series of high-level engagements with a Federal Government delegation in Washington, D.C., signalling renewed commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this information in a statement made available to newsmen today in Abuja.
The Nigerian delegation, led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, met with top US officials across the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the Department of State, the National Security Council, and the Department of War. The week-long discussions sought to strengthen both countries’ long-standing security ties and address emerging threats affecting communities in Nigeria.
During the engagements, the delegation firmly refuted recent allegations of genocide in Nigeria, stressing that such claims misrepresent the situation and undermine national cohesion. Nigerian officials maintained that violent attacks impact citizens across all religious and ethnic backgrounds and that mischaracterising the crisis could further divide communities and hamper ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
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Following the clarifications and strategic discussions, the US Government affirmed its readiness to broaden cooperation with Nigeria. The support package, according to officials, would include enhanced intelligence sharing, faster processing of Nigeria’s defence equipment requests, and possible provision of excess US defence articles—subject to availability—to bolster ongoing operations against terrorist groups and violent non-state actors.
Washington also signalled interest in providing humanitarian assistance to communities affected by conflict in the Middle Belt, while offering technical assistance to help Nigeria strengthen early-warning systems that could prevent or mitigate attacks.
To facilitate coordinated action, both countries agreed to begin implementing a non-binding cooperation framework immediately and to establish a Joint Working Group that will oversee progress across the identified areas of collaboration.
The Nigerian side, in return, reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing civilian protection and ensuring adherence to international humanitarian standards during military and security operations.
Officials said the discussions not only dispelled misconceptions about Nigeria’s security landscape but also reinforced mutual trust and advanced a more coordinated, solution-driven partnership aimed at protecting vulnerable communities.
The Federal Government, acknowledging heightened public sensitivity around issues of security and religious freedom, assured Nigerians that firm and urgent steps are being taken to safeguard lives and stabilise affected regions.
Members of the delegation included the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye; the Special Adviser to the NSA, Ms. Idayat Hassan; and Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the National Security Adviser.
By PRNigeria
