Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced that the United States signaled that it would begin cooperating with the country to address Christian persecution.
Following a series of meetings with Nigerian officials, the United States “affirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria.”
“This includes enhanced intelligence support, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and the potential provision of excess defence articles—subject to availability—to reinforce ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups,” the presidential statement explained. “The United States also expressed its willingness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical support to strengthen early-warning mechanisms.”
During the discussions, the Nigerian delegation asserted that there is no genocide in the country.
During a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing last week, Bureau of African Affairs Ambassador Jonathan Pratt declared that it is in the interest of the United States to “work with the Nigerian government on a plan of action to strengthen security for at-risk Christian communities and Nigerians of all faiths whose ability to practice their faith is put in jeopardy by endemic violence and terrorism.”
Pratt explained that the Trump administration is developing a plan to “incentivize and compel the Nigerian government to better protect Christian communities and improve religious freedom.” The plan will weigh sanctions as well as “possible Department of War engagement on counterterrorism and other efforts to protect religious communities.”
The Trump administration is further “reviewing assistance resources that could be allocated to bolster protection of communities in the Middle Belt,” Pratt added.
