Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has held a series of talks in Washington with U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth as international concerns deepen over allegations that Christians are being deliberately targeted by extremist groups in Nigeria.
Hegseth revealed the meeting in a post on X, noting that Ribadu and his delegation were hosted on Thursday for discussions centred on religious-related violence. His post stated that he met the Nigerian team “to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country,” adding that the Department of War, under President Trump, is working closely with Abuja to tackle jihadist elements accused of carrying out the attacks. Images from the event showed both men together during the visit.
The engagement followed Trump’s escalating warnings over what he described as coordinated attacks on Christians. Trump recently threatened to direct the Department of War to deploy American troops “guns blazing” into Nigeria to “wipe out the Islamic terrorists” he accused of murdering Christians.
In response, President Bola Tinubu directed Ribadu to immediately lead a high-level federal delegation to the United States. The team included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.
Trump had also placed Nigeria on his updated list of “Countries of Particular Concern,” insisting that the country was witnessing what he called an organised “genocide of Christians.” He warned that the U.S. would intervene militarily if Abuja failed to stop the violence.
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected Trump’s claims, arguing that terrorist attacks in the country affect both Muslims and Christians and that no administration policy supports the persecution of any religious group. Officials maintain that Nigeria’s security crisis is fuelled by criminality, banditry, and extremism rather than a campaign targeting any specific faith community.
The diplomatic dispute comes as several regions across Nigeria continue to struggle with violent attacks, mass abductions, and worsening insecurity.