The United States Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has called on the Nigerian government to take decisive steps to curb violence targeting Christians.
Hegseth made the call during a meeting with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the Pentagon, Hegseth used the meeting, held on Thursday, to express concern over the rising attacks in Nigeria.
The Defence Secretary wrote on his X handle on Friday,
“Yesterday (Thursday), I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country. Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that Hegseth urged Nigeria to “take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians,” adding that Washington seeks closer cooperation with Abuja “to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.”
The meeting, held at the Pentagon, followed recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in Nigeria.
Trump warned that if the Federal Government failed to stop the killings, the United States could deploy military forces to Nigeria.
Meanwhile, US Congressman Riley Moore disclosed on Wednesday night that he met with the Nigerian delegation led by Ribadu to discuss what he described as the intensifying persecution of Christians and rising terrorist activity.
He said the talks, held in Washington, DC, were “frank, honest, and productive,” focusing on counterterrorism collaboration, security assistance, and the protection of vulnerable communities.
The Nigerian delegation included senior government and security officials: Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation; General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; and Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, among others.
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