Nigeria and US Agree on New Terms to Tackle Terrorism and Violence

Nigeria and US Agree on New Terms to Tackle Terrorism and Violence.

ABUJA — The Federal Government has announced a new agreement with the United States to tackle the growing security problems across Nigeria. The deal involves immediate cooperation on intelligence sharing and the supply of defence equipment.

The Presidency confirmed the development in a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

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According to the statement, the two nations agreed to set up a “Joint Working Group.” This group will oversee the partnership and ensure that both countries remain on the same page regarding security measures. The agreement comes after a series of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., last week between US officials and a Nigerian delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Military and Humanitarian Support The talks yielded specific promises from the US government. American officials confirmed they are ready to speed up the processing of requests for defence equipment. They also offered to provide “excess defence articles”—military hardware that the US has in reserve—depending on what is available, to help Nigeria fight terrorists and violent groups.

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Beyond hardware, the agreement focuses on saving lives in vulnerable areas. The US pledged humanitarian assistance for communities in the Middle Belt that have been hit hard by recent violence. They also offered technical help to improve early-warning systems, which would help security agencies stop attacks before they happen.

Correcting the Narrative A major part of the visit involved clearing the air regarding the nature of violence in Nigeria. The Nigerian team spent time correcting the impression held by some US officials that the killings in Nigeria are acts of genocide targeting specific religious groups.

The delegation argued that such a view is wrong and only serves to divide Nigerians further. They explained that the violence affects families and communities regardless of their religion or ethnicity.

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“In all engagements in Washington, DC, the Nigerian delegation refuted allegations of genocide in Nigeria, emphasising that violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines,” the statement read.

It added that the talks helped build trust and allowed Nigeria to present the true situation on the ground. In return for the US support, the Nigerian government reaffirmed its promise to protect civilians during military operations.

The Delegation The meetings involved senior US officials from the Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, and the National Security Council.

On the Nigerian side, NSA Ribadu was joined by top security and legal officials, including:

• Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), Attorney General of the Federation
• General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff
• Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence
• Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police
• Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations (NSA Office)
• Ms. Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the NSA

The Presidency urged citizens to feel assured that the government is taking urgent and firm steps to secure the nation through these international partnerships.