US, Nigeria near strategic security agreement on terrorism — Congressman

US lawmaker, Riley Moore. Photo: AFP

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A United States congressman, Riley Moore, said the US and Nigeria are close to reaching a strategic security agreement aimed at addressing terrorism and sectarian violence in Nigeria.

Moore disclosed this in a post on his X account on Saturday night, noting that recent discussions with Nigerian authorities had recorded progress on the country’s security challenges.

Earlier this week, The PUNCH reported that a US congressional delegation led by Moore concluded a fact-finding mission to Nigeria over allegations of genocide and was expected to brief President Donald Trump by the end of this month.

The delegation, comprising five members of Congress, arrived in Nigeria on Sunday and visited internally displaced persons, survivors of terrorist attacks, Christian communities and leaders, as well as traditional rulers, particularly in Benue State.

They also met with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.

Moore said the delegation travelled across parts of Benue State in armoured vehicles due to security concerns and met Catholic and Protestant leaders, bishops and community heads to gather what he described as “ground truth.”

He added that Trump had tasked him and the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Tom Cole, to compile a comprehensive report on the situation.

In his latest post, Moore said the proposed framework would focus on combating extremist groups operating in the North-East, including Boko Haram and ISIS-linked factions.

He said the talks also covered violence in the Middle Belt region.

Moore described the Middle Belt violence as the genocide against Christians by the radical Fulani Muslims, a claim the Federal Government has consistently rejected, maintaining that the country’s security challenges are not driven by religion.

He wrote, “We did have positive conversations with the Nigerian government, and I believe we are close to a strategic security framework to address both the ISIS and Boko Haram threat in the Northeast, as well as the genocide against Christians by the radical Fulani Muslims in the Middle Belt.

“The report that I will present @POTUS with outlines paths to work with the Nigerian government to end the slaughter of our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

The congressman did not provide details on when the framework would be finalised or the nature of US involvement.

In late October, Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians, a position the Federal Government has disputed, insisting that insecurity in the country has no religious dimension.

The PUNCH journalist, Gift, has over three years of experience covering elections, security and foreign affairs.

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