A United States Congress delegation has arrived in Nigeria and held security discussions with Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, in Abuja.
The delegation, led by senior House members, included Mario Díaz-Balart, Norma Torres, Scott Franklin, Juan Ciscomani, and Riley Moore.
Ribadu, in a message shared on his X handle, stated that Nigeria is ready to deepen cooperation with the US in counter-terrorism efforts, regional stability, and Nigeria–US strategic security partnership.
He noted that the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, was also in attendance, reflecting the value both nations place on the engagement. Ribadu added that discussions focused on enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation, promoting regional stability, and strengthening bilateral security relations. He expressed optimism that the meeting would boost trust, collaboration, and commitment to peace and security.
The delegation also visited the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, at the government house in Makurdi. According to a statement from the Governor Alia Media Centre, their discussions centered on security and humanitarian challenges in the state and the urgent need for sustainable peace and protection of the people.
The visit follows high-level security meetings held in Washington last month. It also comes after US President Donald Trump, in a November 1 post, warned that if the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the US could stop all aid and may intervene militarily against Islamic terrorists in the country, describing any response as “fast, vicious, and sweet.”
Nigeria has rejected its renewed designation by the US as a “Country of Particular Concern,” describing the allegations of religious persecution as misinformation based on flawed data.
