In one of the most significant communications from Washington to Abuja, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has issued a clear warning to the Nigerian government, insisting on “urgent and enduring action to halt violence against Christians.”
Hegseth conveyed this message on November 20 during a high-level meeting at the Pentagon with a delegation from Nigeria led by National Security Advisor Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. Official information released on U.S. government .gov platforms indicates that the session was focused specifically on the escalating religious violence in Nigeria and the increase in attacks on Christian communities.
In a statement issued by Sean Parnell, Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs, the U.S. made it evident that Abuja is now expected to demonstrate tangible and measurable progress.
Parnell noted that Hegseth utilized the closed-door meeting to urge Nigeria to take “concrete steps” to stop the killings, abductions, and acts of terror that continue to ravage Christian communities, emphasizing that Washington is prioritizing this issue on its Africa security agenda.
In a manner unusually candid for diplomatic discourse, Hegseth asserted that Nigeria must “show commitment” to safeguarding its Christian population and cautioned that the U.S. anticipates immediate outcomes.
He further stated that the United States is prepared to collaborate “by, with, and through” Nigeria to dismantle jihadist networks and violent extremist groups that are destabilizing West Africa and posing threats to American interests.
Security analysts characterize the meeting as a pivotal moment in U.S.–Nigeria relations—indicating a transition from general cooperation to performance-based expectations, especially regarding issues of religiously targeted violence.
Ribadu’s visit occurs amidst increasing global pressure on the Nigerian government from human rights organizations, faith-based groups, and members of the U.S. Congress, all of whom accuse Nigeria of inadequately addressing years of violence across the Middle Belt, Northwest, and Northeast.
Experts assert that Washington’s recent stance—clear, assertive, and documented—suggests that the Trump administration might be ready to connect future security collaboration to Nigeria’s readiness to implement decisive measures.
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