The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday said he hosted a United States Congressional delegation in Abuja as part of ongoing security consultations between both countries.
Ribadu, in a message shared on his X handle, said the visit followed earlier talks held in Washington, DC, centred on mutual security interests.
“This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities,” he wrote.
““The delegation included Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, Rep. Norma Torres, Rep. Scott Franklin, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, and Rep. Riley M. Moore.
He added that the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, was also present at the meeting — a development he said “reflected the importance both nations attach to this engagement.”
Ribadu said that discussions during the meeting focused on “counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability,” and ways to “strengthen the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.”
“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to peace and security,” he said.
Also, a U.S. lawmaker, Riley Moore, who is among the delegates, said in a post on X, “I came to Nigeria in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the American people.
“Just ending a very productive visit to Nigeria and rounds of meetings. More details to come. Happy Sunday. God is Great!”
The visit comes as the U.S. Congress intensifies scrutiny of worsening insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks on Christian communities in the North and other parts of the country.
Several efforts to get the media aides in the office of the NSA and National Counter Terrorism Centre to give further insights into the deliberation and the outcome proved abortive.
Recall that in the past weeks, several American lawmakers, including members of the House Appropriations Committee and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), have publicly accused the Nigerian government of failing to stop what they describe as a “genocidal campaign” by extremist groups and armed militias
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