Nigeria says diplomatic talks with the U.S. are yielding results, urging dialogue and coordinated security efforts to address ongoing attacks and internal divisions.
The Federal Government of Nigeria says ongoing diplomatic engagements with the United States are producing constructive results in addressing rising tensions over attacks on Christians and broader security challenges, according to a report from VANGUARD.
Speaking on the UK-based Sky News programme “The World With Yalda Hakim”, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said “Channels of communication have been opened, I can confirm that. We are talking to them, and I believe they are now appreciating the situation better. Much of the earlier misunderstanding arose from an incomplete grasp of the diversity and complexity of our domestic challenges.”
Idris further revealed intelligence linking a proscribed separatist group in Nigeria with certain U.S.-based lobby groups allegedly spreading misleading narratives. “We have observed a direct connection between lobbyists in the United States and a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria. These groups are actively engaging influential people in the U.S. to advance misleading narratives,” he said, calling for strengthened cooperation with the U.S. to combat terrorism.
Meanwhile, United States Congressman Bill Huizenga criticised Nigeria’s handling of attacks on Christians, advocating targeted sanctions rather than military intervention. “They need to demonstrate what they are doing to protect not just Christians but all citizens. Their response has been, ‘there’s really not a problem.’ Well, I think there is,” he said, warning of a repeat of tragedies like Rwanda and South Sudan if swift action is not taken.
President Bola Tinubu also met behind closed doors with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, who assured Nigerians of “improved security across the country” following intensified operations against insurgents and bandits.
Religious leaders and civil society groups have urged dialogue as the best path forward. Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu of the Vatican warned that Nigeria’s insecurity is largely self-inflicted, emphasizing unity across faiths and ethnicities. Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria and Afenifere encouraged peaceful engagement and intelligence-driven counterterrorism over full-scale military campaigns.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu affirmed that attacks affect both Christians and Muslims and said the U.S. is targeting jihadist elements, not the Tinubu administration.
“Before President Trump says a word, the American intelligence community must have found out where these terrorists are located. You can see that the Nigerian Air Force is already acting, possibly using information shared by the U.S. to bomb terrorist hideouts. That’s how it should be,” he said.