FG, US Endorse Joint Strategy to Tackle Insecurity– Presidency
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The Presidency says Nigeria and the United States have reached key agreements to deepen collaboration in tackling the country’s escalating security challenges.
According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, both countries agreed to immediately implement a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group to ensure a coordinated security response.
The US also pledged complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected communities in the Middle Belt and technical aid to strengthen early-warning mechanisms.
The agreements follow high-level engagements in Washington, D.C., where a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, met with senior officials of the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of Defense.
The Presidency noted that the Nigerian delegation firmly refuted allegations of genocide, stressing that violent attacks cut across religious and ethnic groups and warning that mischaracterising the crisis could worsen divisions.
Following the meetings, the US government affirmed its readiness to strengthen security cooperation with Nigeria through enhanced intelligence sharing, fast-tracked defence equipment processing, and possible provision of excess defence assets—subject to availability—to support operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
Nigeria, on its part, reiterated its commitment to improving civilian protection and building stronger mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable communities.
According to the statement, the engagements corrected misconceptions about Nigeria, strengthened mutual trust, and advanced a more coordinated approach to national and regional security.
Members of the delegation included Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN); Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Parker Undiandeye; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Ambassador Ibrahim Babani, Director of Foreign Relations at the Office of the NSA; and Ms. Idayat Hassan, Special Adviser to the NSA.
