US War Secretary Demands Action on Nigerian Violence

The highly anticipated meeting between the United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, and a high-level Nigerian security delegation led by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, has yielded critical details, spotlighting the intense international pressure on Nigeria to halt the violence targeting its Christian population. Sean Parnell, the Assistant on Public Affairs and Advisor to the Secretary of War, released an account of the closed-door discussions, offering a rare glimpse into the delicate security talks between the two nations.

Parnell’s update, posted on the official War.gov website, confirmed the meeting took place at the Pentagon on November 20. Secretary Hegseth formally welcomed the delegation, which comprised Nigeria’s most senior security and legal officials.

The Nigerian contingent was robust, underscoring the severity of the issues on the agenda. It included the National Security Advisor, Mr. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, alongside the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; and the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede.

The meeting was a direct consequence of a preceding escalation of rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who had recently designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC). This designation was specifically based on claims that Christians were being systematically targeted and killed in the country, raising the specter of severe diplomatic and security consequences.

The official summary of the meeting’s substance was concise but forceful. Both Secretary Hegseth and Mr. Ribadu discussed concrete strategies to achieve “tangible progress on stopping violence against Christians in Nigeria and combatting West African jihadist terrorist groups.”

Secretary Hegseth’s primary message was direct and unambiguous, placing the onus of responsibility squarely on Abuja. He “emphasized the need for Nigeria to demonstrate commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians.” This phrasing suggests a US demand for not just immediate, reactive measures, but also long-term, structural reforms to guarantee the safety of the Christian community.

Furthermore, the Secretary of War conveyed the Department’s explicit desire to deepen security cooperation. The US expressed its commitment to work “by, with, and through Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.” This willingness to engage through partnership suggests a recognition of Nigeria’s strategic importance in the fight against radical Islamic insurgency in the wider West African region.

The meeting’s disclosure arrives amid increasing internal distress in Nigeria over the perceived targeting of Christians, a sentiment recently voiced by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) who declared an “ongoing Christian genocide.” This confluence of domestic alarm and aggressive foreign policy pressure has placed the Ribadu led delegation under immense scrutiny.

The US emphasis on tangible progress effectively communicates that rhetorical assurances alone will not satisfy Washington. The Trump administration, through the War Department, is demanding verifiable results on the ground to justify continued security assistance and to potentially reverse the “Country of Particular Concern” designation.

The official readout carefully balanced the need to address the religious violence with the broader imperative of counter-terrorism, linking the two issues as inseparable elements of regional instability. Combating West African jihadist groups is framed as a mutual security interest, vital to protecting both Nigerian citizens and American strategic interests.

For the Nigerian delegation, the meeting was a delicate diplomatic exercise. They were tasked with reassuring the US delegation of Nigeria’s commitment to internal security while simultaneously seeking continued military and intelligence support essential for combating sophisticated terrorist networks like Boko Haram and ISWAP.

The immediate challenge for the Ribadu team is translating the Pentagon discussions into immediate, measurable security improvements. Failure to demonstrate credible progress could lead to further punitive actions from the US, potentially affecting security cooperation, military aid, and broader diplomatic relations.

The stark detail provided by the US War Secretary’s office confirms that the persecution of Christians in Nigeria has become a top-tier security issue in Washington, demanding significant and visible change from the Nigerian government. The world is watching to see how President Tinubu’s administration will respond to Hegseth’s demand for “urgent and enduring action.”