By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
The Federal Government has confirmed that a high-level Nigerian delegation and officials from the United States have reached an understanding to collaborate on tackling the country’s persistent security challenges.
According to President Bola Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian delegation, led by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, met last week with senior US officials across Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of War to discuss security issues, including claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria.
“The delegation strongly rejected wrongful framing of the situation, saying such would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground,” Onanuga stated, adding that violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines.
He noted that following the engagements, the United States affirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria, which includes enhanced intelligence support, expedited processing of defence equipment requests, and potential provision of excess defence articles to support ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
“The United States also expressed its willingness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical support to strengthen early-warning mechanisms,” Onanuga added.
The media aide said both countries agreed to immediately implement a non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a Joint Working Group to ensure a unified and coordinated approach to the agreed areas of collaboration.
“In return, the Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening civilian protection measures,” he concluded.