Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, has continued his tour of the United States to dispel the wrong notion of Christian persecution in Nigeria.
Daily Trust had reported how Ribadu, who is leading a high-powered delegation, met with Congressman Riley Moore, two days ago.
On Thursday, Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of War, announced that he met with the Nigerian official.
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Announcing the meeting in a tweet, Hegseth wrote, “Yesterday, I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country. Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”
Hegseth made headlines in Nigeria earlier in the month when President Donald Trump signaled him to prepare for possible action in Africa’s most populous nation.
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing’, to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet — just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians. Warning: the Nigerian government better move fast!” Trump had posted.
Responding on X (formerly Twitter), Hegseth reaffirmed the US president’s stance, saying the Department of War had begun preparations.
“Yes sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Hegseth wrote.
Nigeria has consistently maintained its stance that religious persecution has no place in its Constitution.
Weighing in on the matter earlier this week, Pope Leo said the violence in Nigeria affects not just Christians but equally Muslims.
“I think in Nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly a danger for Christians, but for all people. Christians and Muslims have been slaughtered. There’s a question of terrorism. There’s a question that has to do a lot with economics, if you will, and control of the lands that they have. Unfortunately, many Christians have died, and I think it’s very, it’s important to seek a way for the government, with all peoples, to promote authentic religious freedom,” the Pope had said in an interview.
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