National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has held a closed-door meeting with Pete Hegseth, the United States Secretary of Defense, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to deploy American troops to Nigeria to “wipe out Islamic terrorists” he claims are targeting Christians.
Acting on President Bola Tinubu’s directive, Ribadu led a high-level Nigerian delegation to Washington. The team included Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney General of the Federation; and General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff.
On Wednesday, the delegation met Riley Moore, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives who has been vocal about alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria. According to ABC News, two defense officials confirmed Ribadu’s subsequent meeting with Hegseth, which Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine also attended. The discussions were absent from both Hegseth’s and Caine’s public schedules, and Ribadu’s arrival was not open to the press.
The meeting coincided with a congressional hearing on claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria. During the session, Jonathan Pratt of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs said the Nigerian delegation would engage with officials from both the State Department and the Department of War. He added that Washington would work with Abuja on measures, including a joint task force, to address the allegations.
Meanwhile, Representative Sara Jacobs criticised Trump’s comments as reckless, stressing that Congress has not authorised the use of force in Nigeria and that any military action without Nigeria’s consent would violate international law.
