The Federal Government has intensified its diplomatic pushback against the allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria, with National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, leading a high level delegation to Washington, D.C., for a meeting with United States Congressman Riley Moore.
The visit followed recent comments by US President Donald Trump, who accused Nigeria of allowing Christian genocide and threatened possible action against the country. Since the allegation, Nigeria has been making moves to refute the claim and present its efforts in tackling insurgency and violence across communities.
According to a post shared by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communications, Sunday Dare, the 10 man delegation met with Congressman Moore on Wednesday to address security concerns and restate Nigeria’s commitment to protecting all citizens.
The delegation included Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. EAP Undiendeye, Special Adviser to ONSA Idayat Hassan, and senior officials from the Embassy of Nigeria.
In the statement shared by Dare, Congressman Moore said the meeting offered “a frank, honest, and productive discussion about the ongoing persecution of Christians and ongoing terrorist threats in Nigeria and opportunities for strengthened cooperation and coordination between the United States and Nigeria to end the bloodshed.”
He also noted that Nigerian officials briefed him on the country’s challenges in counterterrorism, security assistance and efforts to protect vulnerable communities.
Moore added that the United States is willing to work closely with Nigeria, saying “the United States stands ready to coordinate and cooperate with Nigeria, and, as President Trump made abundantly clear, the United States will not tolerate continued violence against Christians or other forms of religious persecution. President Trump does not make idle threats.”
He said he would continue to monitor developments “and push the Nigerian government to accept the open hand of cooperation to stop the ongoing persecution and violence against Christians and combat the threat terrorist groups pose to the Nigerian population.”
