U.S.–Nigeria Security Talks Intensify as Pentagon Pressures Abuja Over Rising Extremist Violence, Demands “Urgent and Enduring Action” as Attacks Surge Across Nigeria

…as U.S. Warns Nigeria, “Stop the Killings or Face New Security Measures”

Fresh details have emerged from the crucial high-level meeting between United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as Washington increases pressure on Abuja amid escalating insecurity and renewed extremist violence across the country.

According to senior officials in both governments, the discussion was dominated by concerns over the surge in attacks linked to extremist groups and the mounting threat against Christian communities in Nigeria. The United States described the meeting as particularly urgent, reflecting growing frustration with what it sees as an inadequate and slow response by Nigerian authorities to recent deadly outbreaks of violence.

Held at the Pentagon, Hegseth hosted the Nigerian delegation in a closed-door session that focused on the persistent killings, failures in rapid security deployment, and gaps in intelligence coordination. Pentagon insiders revealed that the US Defence Secretary pressed Nigeria to immediately intensify operations against extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians, particularly Christians.

Hegseth later summarized key parts of the meeting 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 further confirmed that the US Defence Chief urged Nigeria to take “urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians.” They added that Washington is seeking deeper security cooperation to “deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.”

The high-stakes engagement comes just one month after US President Donald Trump warned that Christian populations in Nigeria were “facing an existential threat.” Trump cautioned that the United States could deploy military assistance if Abuja failed to halt the killings, a statement that has heightened diplomatic urgency around the matter.

In a related development, US Congressman Riley Moore disclosed that he also held talks with the Nigerian team on Wednesday night.

Moore described the conversation as “frank, honest, and productive,” noting that it covered counterterrorism support, improved intelligence sharing, security assistance frameworks, and strategies to protect vulnerable communities targeted by extremist groups.

The Nigerian delegation to Washington comprised several top-tier government and security officials, including 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.

Diplomatic analysts say the intense engagements reflect heightened US concern over Nigeria’s deteriorating security climate and signal a renewed push for Abuja to reinforce its internal security structure, adopt more effective counterterrorism strategies, and improve coordination with international allies.

With extremist violence rising and global attention now sharply focused on Nigeria, both governments appear poised to deepen security ties, though Washington expects concrete action from A buja in the weeks ahead.