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•France, Nigeria to strengthen relations amid security crisis
A member of the United States House of Representatives, Mr. Riley Moore, has hailed the rescue of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, as a positive demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s response to the country’s security challenges.
The lawmaker, who is visiting Nigeria after months of charged debate between the US and Nigerian officials over alleged persecution of Christians, made the remark in an X post yesterday while reflecting on his meeting with Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s national security adviser (NSA).
Moore’s visit is a follow up to high-level security talks held between Ribadu and Pete Hegseth, US defence secretary, in Washington last month.
The talks held the same day the US congress heard allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria. During the congressional hearing, Jonathan Pratt, senior official at the US state department’s Bureau of African Affairs, said the state department will work with the Nigerian government on measures, including a task force, to address the alleged Christian persecution in the country.
At least 400 people have been kidnapped in the past two weeks, among them many schoolchildren.
US President, Donald Trump, has threatened to intervene militarily in Nigeria over what he called a targeting of Christians. Children and adults from Muslim schools and mosques are, however, also frequently victims of kidnappings.
Aside from kidnappings, which any particular group has not carried out, they also pose a problem in parts of the north.The Islamist militia Boko Haram is particularly active.
In his post, Moore confirmed that a joint task force has now been established. He said it was a “great example” to support notions that a cooperative security framework is within sight, adding that the US’ sense of urgency on its concerns was positively received.
“There were concrete steps and actions discussed at length, that if fully executed, I believe will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians, disrupt and destroy terrorist organizations in the northeast and stop the killing of Christians (a specific concern for @POTUS and myself) – particularly in the Middle Belt of the country.
“I want to thank the Nigerian government and @officialABAT for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children. This is a positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation and shows commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Tinubu.” The US lawmaker said it was clear that there is an openness and willingness on the part of the Nigerian government to work with the US.
“Now, that openness has to translate to concrete action. There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction.”
French President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, has also announced that his country would strengthen ties with Nigeria, amid a growing security crisis in northern Nigeria at the request of his Nigerian counterpart, Bola Tinubu.
At the request of his counterpart, Bola Tinubu, Macron said France stands in solidarity with Nigeria in the face of a deteriorating security situation, especially in the country’s north.
