Fresh details have emerged from the meeting between United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as Washington intensifies pressure on Abuja over rising insecurity.
The discussion centred on the surge in attacks linked to extremist groups and the growing threat against Christian communities across Nigeria.
Officials described the meeting as urgent and focused, with the US pushing for tougher and sustained action from the Federal Government.
Hegseth, who hosted the Nigerian delegation at the Pentagon, raised concerns about the continuous killings and the slow response to recent outbreaks of violence.
He later shared highlights of the engagement on his X page, stating:
“Yesterday (Thursday), I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country. Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”
Pentagon officials confirmed that the US Defence Chief urged Nigeria to take “urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians.”
He also stated that Washington wants deeper cooperation with Abuja to “deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.”
The meeting comes a month after US President Donald Trump warned that Christian populations in Nigeria were “facing an existential threat.”
Trump cautioned that the US could deploy military assistance if Abuja failed to halt the killings.
Meanwhile, Congressman Riley Moore disclosed that he also met with the Nigerian team in Washington on Wednesday night.
He said the conversation was “frank, honest, and productive,” adding that the dialogue covered counterterrorism support, intelligence sharing, security assistance, and protecting vulnerable groups affected by extremist attacks.
The Nigerian delegation included top government and security figures such as Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun; Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede; and Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye.
The high-level engagements signal heightened US concern and a renewed push for Nigeria to strengthen its internal security response and improve coordination with international partners