US Lawmakers Meet Ribadu In Abuja As Security Tensions & ‘Genocide’ Debate Intensify
By ESTHER McWILLIS-IKHIDE
US Delegation Meets Ribadu in Abuja Amid Heightened Security Diplomacy and Controversial Genocide Claims
A high-powered United States Congressional delegation arrived in Abuja this weekend for critical security talks with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic engagement between both nations. The visit comes at a time when Washington is wrestling with politically charged allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria and debating whether to impose punitive designations.
A Fact-Finding Mission With Geopolitical Weight
The visiting team—Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, Norma Torres, Scott Franklin, Juan Ciscomani, and Riley Moore—met with Mr. Ribadu on Sunday, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills. According to the NSA, the lawmakers are on a “fact-finding mission,” continuing a chain of engagements that began during recent high-level meetings in Washington D.C.
For Abuja, the visit highlights the growing strategic relevance of Nigeria in U.S. foreign policy calculations, especially as global security alliances shift and unrest persists across West Africa.
Discussions reportedly centered on counterterrorism cooperation, regional threats, insurgency dynamics, and the future of Nigeria–US security ties. Ribadu expressed optimism that the engagement would “deepen trust, collaboration, and our shared commitment to peace and security.”
Background: A Visit Framed by Controversy
The delegation’s arrival follows weeks of heightened scrutiny on Capitol Hill, where some U.S. lawmakers have pushed to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” under international religious freedom laws. Such a designation could trigger sanctions and restrict defence cooperation.
Fueling this push are allegations claiming that Nigerian Christians are facing a coordinated campaign of religious genocide. These claims have gained traction among certain conservative politicians, rights activists, and Christian advocacy groups in the U.S.—despite significant challenges to the accuracy of their data.
Earlier this year, Ribadu led a high-level Nigerian delegation to Washington to counter what Abuja considers “misleading and dangerous narratives.” That team met U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who voiced concern over “horrific violence against Christians” but agreed to deepen cooperation to combat terrorist groups responsible for widespread killings.
The ‘Christian Genocide’ Narrative and the Washington Divide
The debate has polarized U.S. lawmakers and advocacy blocs. Prominent voices such as Senator Ted Cruz and Congressman Riley Moore have aggressively promoted claims of a targeted genocide. Moore, who also met the Nigerian delegation in Washington, described their conversations as “frank and productive,” but remains a key sponsor of the narrative.
On the other side, several U.S. officials, think tanks, and analysts warn that the genocide framing oversimplifies Nigeria’s complex matrix of insecurity—ranging from jihadist insurgency to farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and communal violence. A recent BBC fact-check and investigations by PREMIUM TIMES highlighted inconsistencies in the numbers being cited by pro-genocide campaigners, many of which cannot be independently verified.
Security experts note that victims of extremist violence in Nigeria include both Christians and Muslims, with attacks often driven by territorial control, ideological extremism, or criminal profit—not solely religious identity.
Nigeria Pushes Back: ‘A Gross Misrepresentation’
The Nigerian government has repeatedly rejected claims of systematic Christian persecution, asserting that the country’s security crisis affects all communities. Officials argue that terrorists and armed groups target anyone who defies them—regardless of faith.
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s willingness to collaborate with Washington on counterterrorism, but cautioned against “narratives that inflame religious tensions or mischaracterise the security situation.”
Strategic Stakes for Both Nations
Sunday’s Abuja meeting signals Washington’s deepening interest in Nigeria’s internal dynamics, partly due to Nigeria’s influence within West Africa and the Sahel—a region increasingly threatened by jihadist expansion and political instability.
For the United States, Nigeria remains a crucial partner in containing extremist movements and preserving regional stability. For Nigeria, U.S. cooperation is vital for intelligence support, military assistance, and diplomatic alignment—especially at a time when global narratives could reshape future security relationships.
A Partnership Under Scrutiny, but Not Fractured
While the “Christian genocide” debate looms heavily over the bilateral relationship, the latest visit demonstrates that both nations are committed to dialogue rather than disengagement. The Abuja meeting is expected to feed into a broader strategic reassessment as Washington reviews Nigeria’s status and both sides negotiate the next phase of their security cooperation.
As Nigeria and the U.S. weigh competing political pressures, Sunday’s engagement underscores the delicate balance between diplomacy, domestic politics, and the urgent realities of Nigeria’s multifaceted security crisis.
