By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
The Federal Government says last week’s high-level engagements between Nigerian security chiefs and top United States officials have opened a new chapter in bilateral security cooperation aimed at protecting Nigerian citizens and stabilising conflict-prone regions.
A delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, met with senior officials from the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the US Department of War.
According to the Presidency, all engagements focused on strengthening counter-terrorism cooperation and correcting misconceptions about Nigeria’s security landscape.
During the meetings, the Nigerian team firmly refuted claims of genocide, stressing that violent attacks in the country affect communities across religious and ethnic lines. They warned that mischaracterising the situation only fuels division and distorts realities on the ground.
Following the briefings, the US Government expressed readiness to deepen intelligence-sharing, fast-track defence equipment requests, and consider the provision of excess defence articles—subject to availability—to bolster Nigeria’s ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups. Additional areas of support include humanitarian assistance to affected communities in the Middle Belt and technical backing to improve early-warning systems.
Both countries agreed to begin immediate implementation of a new non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a Joint Working Group that will coordinate the rollout of key security initiatives.
Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to protecting civilians and improving safeguards for vulnerable communities. The Presidency said the discussions helped dispel longstanding misconceptions, strengthened mutual trust, and advanced joint efforts toward stabilizing the nation.
Members of the delegation included Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye; Special Adviser to the NSA, Idayat Hassan; and Ambassador Ibrahim Babani.
The statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
