December 08, (THEWILL) — The diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the United States of America over the friction caused by the framing of Nigeria’s security challenges as a crusade against Christians received a big boost on Sunday when a US Congressional delegation visited Abuja.
Confirming the meeting, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and a major crusader in the United States House of Representatives, against an alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, Riley Moore, shared separate messages on their X platforms on Sunday.
According to Malam Ribadu, on Sunday, the United States Congressional delegation was received by him in Abuja, signifying the intention of both countries to sink their differences and work together over the issue.
Ribadu, had in an earlier a message on his official X-handle on Saturday, said the visit was a continuation of previous engagements in Washington, D.C., aimed at advancing shared priorities.
He said the high-level visit underscored the importance both nations attach to cooperation on security and stability.
“This morning, (Sunday) I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our previous engagements in Washington, D.C. on shared security priorities. The discussions focused on counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability and strengthening the Nigeria–U.S. strategic security partnership,” he said.
According to Ribadu, the delegation included Rep Riley Moore, Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, Rep. Norma Torres, Rep. Scott Franklin and Rep. Juan Ciscomani, alongside the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Richard Mills.
He expressed confidence that the meeting would translate into a more robust collaboration.
“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration and our shared commitment to peace and security,” he said.
Reps Moore on the other hand stated that his fact-finding mission had enabled him to “adopt a more balanced and fact-based approach in assessing Nigeria’s security challenges.
He wrote, “I came to Nigeria in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the American people. Just ending a very productive visit to Nigeria and rounds of meetings. More details to come. Happy Sunday. God is Great!”
THEWILL recalls that Ribadu had a fortnight ago led a delegation comprising the Inspector -General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu and others to the US. The Nigerian delegation met with the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council and the Department of War.
Meanwhile former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop of Catholic Diocese in Sokoto, Rev. Hassan Kukah have called for a more frontal approach to the fight against terrorism in the country.
Speaking at an international conversation through Zoom, which was hosted by the Professor Toyin Falola Interview Series on Sunday night and attended by THEWILL, Obasanjo, among other things, made four suggestions that would address the security crisis, if adopted by the Federal Government. The suggestions are specialised training for the armed forces; equipment; technology and intelligence.
He said,” The army is trained to fight conventional war. Now, the terrorists are fleeting targets and many of them live among the people. So, what we need is specialised training for the security forces. Colombia did it and we should not be ashamed to seek external help. Also, the kind of equipment we need to fight this kind of warfare is different from the arms and ammunition used in fighting conventional war; then we need intelligence and technology…”
Bishop Kukak who was one of the panellists alongside former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, used the interval to make his contribution on insecurity in the country.
Kuka said, “We may be turning the corner when you consider the US reaction and the Federal Government reaction by way of the change guards which seem to suggest that the Nigerian Government has seen the urgency for action. I hope both countries can work out some form of technical support. Along that, the Nigerian government should identify and root out the unwanted men and women in security agencies that seem to undermine the fight against terror-related attacks because we hear the army say they have the capacity to root out the terrorists. The government needs to name and shame and make examples of those funding the situation that is threatening the collapse of our nation.”
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