President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron held a high-level conversation on Sunday, focusing on Nigeria’s escalating security challenges and areas of deeper bilateral cooperation. Their discussion came at a time when a United States delegation was in Abuja holding separate talks with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, over rising concerns about attacks and reported religious persecution in the country.
Macron, in a post shared on his X handle, said he reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in addressing its mounting security threats, especially the persistent terrorist activities in the northern region. He noted that Paris remains a willing partner in Nigeria’s efforts to restore stability.
The growing international attention has prompted the Federal Government to intensify diplomatic engagements, seeking broader partnerships to tackle insecurity. Earlier on November 20, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth received NSA Ribadu at the Pentagon to exchange strategic ideas on confronting Nigeria’s crises. That same day, a US House Subcommittee convened a public hearing examining whether Nigeria should again be classified as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a designation tied to allegations of religious persecution.
The issue resurfaced strongly last week when US lawmakers, particularly House Republicans, sounded fresh alarms about rising religious violence in Nigeria. The briefing was reportedly connected to an instruction issued by former US President Donald Trump, directing the House Appropriations Committee and Congressman Riley Moore to investigate what he described as the “slaughter of Christians.”
Confirming the Abuja meeting, Ribadu disclosed that he received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission, following earlier engagements in Washington. According to him, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, joined the discussions, which centred on improving counter-terrorism coordination, reinforcing regional stability, and expanding the Nigeria–US security partnership. Ribadu expressed optimism that the renewed dialogue would boost mutual trust and strengthen joint operations.
Congressman Riley Moore also posted on Sunday that he had concluded what he described as a “very productive” visit to Nigeria, though he provided no details on his meetings.
Meanwhile, a separate American delegation, including the US Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador Mills, visited Benue State on Saturday. They met with Governor Hyacinth Alia, Catholic bishops Wilfred Anagbe and Isaac Dugu, and the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse. Although officials did not disclose the purpose of the visit, it is widely believed to be linked to ongoing US investigations into alleged religious persecution.
Bishop Anagbe has appeared before the US Congress twice this year, presenting detailed accounts of attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria. The Tor Tiv had also condemned the Yelwata killings where nearly 200 people were massacred, describing the tragedy as “genocide” during President Tinubu’s earlier visit to the state.
However, Governor Alia dismissed claims of genocide, insisting Benue is not witnessing religious, ethnic or racial extermination. His spokesperson said the US visit was private, which was why the media was not invited.
But leaders of Benue’s major socio-cultural groups disagreed. Chief Iorbee Ihagh argued that the government missed an opportunity to show the delegation first-hand the devastation in Yelwata and the state’s internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. According to him, residents overwhelmingly view the ongoing killings as genocidal in scale.
In a more positive development, reports emerged on Sunday that the Federal Government had secured the release of about 100 pupils kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State, though officials were yet to confirm the rescue as of press time.
The breakthrough was reported roughly a week after NSA Ribadu visited the school to reassure families that the children would be safely returned. Ribadu conveyed President Tinubu’s message of hope, describing the rescue effort as a national priority backed by strengthened military deployments. He told parents and school authorities that “evil will never prevail” and promised the pupils would return home.
The children were abducted on November 21, when armed men invaded the school and seized 315 people – 303 students and 12 teachers. Fifty later escaped, but 265, including 253 children, remained in captivity. The Federal Government subsequently launched an extensive aerial surveillance and ground operation spanning Niger, Kebbi and Kwara States, and temporarily shut down schools across affected northern regions.
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