Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of War, hosted Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, in Washington to discuss allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
The meeting comes amid heightened scrutiny from the international community over Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly claims of targeted violence against Christians.
During the discussions, Ribadu addressed the Nigerian government’s stance, emphasizing that the country’s security issues are multifaceted and not solely religious in nature.
He pointed to ongoing efforts to safeguard religious freedom and counter threats posed by armed groups, including insurgents and bandits.
Ribadu reportedly reiterated that violence affects both Christians and Muslims, citing clashes over land, ethnicity, and resources in central Nigeria as examples of broader underlying tensions.
The talks follow recent incidents, including attacks on churches and schools, which have drawn global attention. U.S. officials, including Hegseth, have expressed concern about religious violence and its implications for human rights, with some lawmakers considering sanctions or other measures to compel Nigeria to strengthen protections for vulnerable communities.
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