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US officials hold closed talks with Nigeria amid Trump’s threats
(MENAFN) U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine held a closed-door meeting on Thursday with Nigeria’s national security adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, following President Donald Trump’s recent threats of military action over alleged persecution of Christians in the West African nation.
The Pentagon described the discussion as a way to “make tangible progress on stopping violence against Christians in Nigeria and combatting West African jihadist terrorist groups,” according to spokesman Sean Parnell. Hegseth reportedly stressed the need for Nigeria to take “urgent and enduring action to stop violence” while affirming the U.S. desire to work collaboratively to deter and degrade terrorist threats to American interests.
Earlier this month, Trump warned on social media that the U.S. might intervene militarily “guns-a-blazing” if Nigeria continues to allow attacks on Christians. He instructed the Defense Department—rebranded informally as the “Department of War”—to prepare for rapid strike operations. Hegseth publicly confirmed preparations, saying, “Yes sir, the Department of War is preparing for action.”
The violence in Nigeria has drawn attention from U.S. conservative figures, including Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Riley Moore. Independent monitors report tens of thousands of civilian deaths in recent years, affecting both Christians and Muslims.
Analysts, however, caution that the situation is more complex than Trump portrays. Security expert Nnamdi Obasi stated that “in most parts of the country, Christians and Muslims live peacefully with each other,” adding that claims of mass persecution are exaggerated. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also rejected the U.S. designation of Nigeria as violating religious freedom, calling it based on “misinformation and faulty data.”
Currently, the U.S. has no ground forces in Nigeria, only embassy staff, and military deployment would face logistical and security challenges, including the loss of access to drone bases in neighboring Niger following a recent coup.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jacob McGee noted that Washington is engaged in “frank conversations” with Nigerian officials, while a Nigerian delegation also met U.S. lawmakers. Republican Moore emphasized the need for action, saying, “I made it crystal clear the US must see tangible steps to ensure Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death.”
The Pentagon described the discussion as a way to “make tangible progress on stopping violence against Christians in Nigeria and combatting West African jihadist terrorist groups,” according to spokesman Sean Parnell. Hegseth reportedly stressed the need for Nigeria to take “urgent and enduring action to stop violence” while affirming the U.S. desire to work collaboratively to deter and degrade terrorist threats to American interests.
Earlier this month, Trump warned on social media that the U.S. might intervene militarily “guns-a-blazing” if Nigeria continues to allow attacks on Christians. He instructed the Defense Department—rebranded informally as the “Department of War”—to prepare for rapid strike operations. Hegseth publicly confirmed preparations, saying, “Yes sir, the Department of War is preparing for action.”
The violence in Nigeria has drawn attention from U.S. conservative figures, including Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Riley Moore. Independent monitors report tens of thousands of civilian deaths in recent years, affecting both Christians and Muslims.
Analysts, however, caution that the situation is more complex than Trump portrays. Security expert Nnamdi Obasi stated that “in most parts of the country, Christians and Muslims live peacefully with each other,” adding that claims of mass persecution are exaggerated. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also rejected the U.S. designation of Nigeria as violating religious freedom, calling it based on “misinformation and faulty data.”
Currently, the U.S. has no ground forces in Nigeria, only embassy staff, and military deployment would face logistical and security challenges, including the loss of access to drone bases in neighboring Niger following a recent coup.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Jacob McGee noted that Washington is engaged in “frank conversations” with Nigerian officials, while a Nigerian delegation also met U.S. lawmakers. Republican Moore emphasized the need for action, saying, “I made it crystal clear the US must see tangible steps to ensure Christians are not subject to violence, persecution, displacement, and death.”
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