Insecurity crisis: US delegation arrives in Nigeria as France assures of support

As the raging insecurity crisis in Nigeria festers, France has assured of a huge support with a view to solving the problem through collaboration in different areas.

The President, Emmanuel Macron, gave the assurance on Sunday when he and President Bola Tinubu held talks on Sunday via a telephone conversation.

This came when a United States delegation comprising the US ambassador to Nigeria and other top officials parleyed with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja, on the alleged Christian persecution and killings in the country.

Macron who confirmed the collaboration in a message posted on X on Sunday, said that he had spoken with Tinubu and assured him of France’s poise to strengthen its partnership with Nigerian authorities to tackle the insecurity menace in Nigeria, especially the terrorism in the North.

He, however, premised the intervention on Tinubu’s request.

“I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria, @officialABAT. I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North,” Macron wrote.

“At his (Tinubu’s) request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations,” he added.

“We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator.”

Macron’s assurance is against the backdrop of the torrent of gun attacks and kidnappings, especially in schools and communities across the northern region which have been greeted with global condemnation.

Following the frequency of the attacks, Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency on November 26 when he ordered the army, police and intelligence services to expand recruitment and deploy thousands of additional personnel forthwith.

Tinubu also tasked security agencies to prioritise the safety of schools, farms and places of worship.

He also asked governors to step up local early-warning systems.

The US. has also initiated a broader international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security crisis as President Donald Trump, who, in early November, threatened to invade the country, citing an alleged genocide against Christians.

Recently, the American president re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations and threatened military intervention.

However, the Federal Government has roundly rejected claims of Christian persecution, insisting that insecurity in Nigeria cuts across all religions and religions.

The situation has prompted the Federal Government to seek diplomatic aid from the international community.

Ribadu, while confirming his meeting with the US officials, disclosed that he had hosted a US Congressional delegation as part of the ongoing security consultations between both countries.

In a message shared on his X handle, the NSA said that the visit followed earlier talks held in Washington, DC, which focused on mutual security interests.

“This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities,” Ribadu said.

He added that the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, was also present.

According to him, the development reflected the importance of both nations attached to the engagement.

Ribadu added that counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability, and ways to strengthen the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States topped the discussions.

“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to peace and security,” he said.

In a related development, a member of the US House of Representatives, Riley Moore, said on Sunday that he had concluded a very productive visit to Nigeria.

While sharing the message in a post on his X account, he wrote: “I came to Nigeria in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the American people,” Moore wrote.

While also announcing the end of his trip, he added: “Just ending a very productive visit to Nigeria and rounds of meetings. More details to come. Happy Sunday. God is Great!”

He, however, did not provide further information about the purpose of the visit or the Nigerian officials he met.

In a related development, the US Assistant Secretary of State and the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, visited Benue State on Saturday.

The team met Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House, Makurdi, as well as the Catholic Bishops of Makurdi and Katsina-Ala dioceses, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe and Bishop Isaac Dugu, respectively.

The delegation also visited the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse.

Though the purpose of the visit to the state was not disclosed, reports indicated that it may be connected to US allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria.