Amanze Chinonye
United States War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday, hosted a high-level Nigerian security delegation at the Pentagon, intensifying Washington’s push for immediate action against the escalating violence faced by Christian communities in northern Nigeria.
The delegation, led by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, included the country’s top security chiefs: the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Inspector-General of Police, and senior officials from the justice and foreign affairs ministries.
The visit follows weeks of heightened tension after President Trump warned that the U.S. would go “guns blazing” if Abuja failed to halt attacks attributed to jihadist insurgents.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to an official Pentagon readout, both sides discussed “tangible progress” toward stopping violence against Christians and strengthening joint efforts against West African jihadist groups. Hegseth stressed that the Nigerian government must demonstrate not only urgency but “enduring action” in tackling the killings that have drawn growing international scrutiny.
“Under the President’s leadership, the Department of War is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists,” Hegseth said after the meeting. He reiterated Washington’s intention to “work by, with, and through Nigeria” to deter and degrade terrorist networks that also pose threats to U.S. interests in the region.
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Diplomatic sources in Washington say Nigeria’s sudden openness to deeper security cooperation including expanded intelligence sharing, joint operations, and potential embedding of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) personnel reflects the urgency of the moment.
Trump’s CPC (Country of Particular Concern) redesignation and his public threats to deploy force have added unprecedented pressure on Abuja.
However, analysts continue to caution that Nigeria’s conflict landscape remains far more complex than a single-narrative religious persecution crisis.
While Christian communities have suffered repeated attacks, data from conflict-monitoring organisations show that jihadist factions particularly Boko Haram and ISWAP have killed large numbers of Muslims as well, pointing to terrorism, banditry and state fragility as core drivers of the violence.
Despite these nuances, U.S. officials insist that the protection of Christian communities remains a central pillar of current bilateral discussions.
Both countries are expected to continue urgent technical and strategic consultations in the coming weeks as Washington pushes for demonstrable progress on the ground.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
