A high-level Federal Government delegation says its engagements with top US officials last week will strengthen security cooperation and open new channels of support for protecting Nigerians. This is according to Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, met with senior officials in the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War.
Onanuga said the team firmly refuted allegations of genocide in Nigeria, stressing that violent attacks affect communities across religions and ethnicities. He added that mislabeling the crisis only divides Nigerians and distorts reality.
According to him, the US Government has now indicated readiness to deepen security cooperation, including better intelligence support, faster processing of defence equipment, and possible access to excess defence articles to support ongoing operations.
He noted that both countries also agreed to a non-binding cooperation framework and the creation of a Joint Working Group. Nigeria, he said, reaffirmed its commitment to stronger civilian protection.
Onanuga added that the engagements helped correct misconceptions about Nigeria and reinforced a coordinated approach to securing vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt.
