President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday discussed Nigeria’s worsening security situation, focusing on areas where both countries can strengthen cooperation.
Their conversation took place as a United States delegation, including the US Ambassador to Nigeria and senior officials, met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja over alleged Christian persecution and ongoing violence.
In a post on X, Macron confirmed his discussion with Tinubu and reaffirmed France’s commitment to support Nigeria in tackling insecurity.
He wrote, “I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria, @officialABAT. I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North.
“At his (Tinubu’s) request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations.
“We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator.”
Macron indicated that France will collaborate with the Nigerian government to provide assistance to vulnerable communities.
His remarks follow an escalation of attacks and abductions, especially in schools and rural areas across northern Nigeria, which have attracted global concern.
The French president’s message also came shortly after Tinubu swore in a new Defence Minister, retired General Christopher Musa, and tasked him with delivering urgent results.
On November 26, Tinubu declared a national security emergency, directing security agencies to recruit more personnel immediately and deploy thousands of forces.
He further instructed them to prioritize security for schools, farms, and worship centers while urging state governors to reinforce local intelligence systems.
Tinubu’s call with Macron also comes amid growing international scrutiny, particularly from US President Donald Trump, who recently accused Nigeria of allowing genocide against Christians and threatened intervention.
Trump again placed Nigeria on the list of Countries of Particular Concern for religious freedom issues and issued strong warnings about military action.
The Federal Government has repeatedly denied allegations of religious persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects Nigerians of all faiths.
Amid mounting pressure, Nigeria has turned to global partners for support.
On November 20, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted NSA Ribadu at the Pentagon for talks on addressing the crisis. That same day, the US House Subcommittee on Africa held a public hearing evaluating Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern, followed by another briefing assessing its consequences.
Last Tuesday, US House Republicans warned about rising religious violence in Nigeria during a joint briefing initiated by Trump, who earlier directed Moore and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate what he termed mass killings of Christians.
Ribadu confirmed his recent meeting with the US delegation, describing it as part of ongoing consultations to strengthen security cooperation.
Posting on X, he said, “This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities.”
He noted that the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, joined the meeting, adding that this showed how seriously both nations view the situation.
Ribadu stated that the talks focused on “counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability” and ways to “strengthen the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.”
He expressed optimism that the engagement would enhance trust, collaboration and joint commitment to stability.
US lawmaker Riley Moore also confirmed his visit in a post on X, writing, “I came to Nigeria in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the American people.”
He added, “Just ending a very productive visit to Nigeria and rounds of meetings. More details to come. Happy Sunday. God is Great!” He did not provide further details regarding the officials he met.
In a related visit, the US Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador Richard Mills traveled to Benue State on Saturday.
They met with Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi and held discussions with the Catholic Bishops of Makurdi and Katsina-Ala Dioceses, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe and Bishop Isaac Dugu.
The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse, who leads the Benue State Traditional Council.
Although the official purpose was not disclosed, local reports link the visit to US concerns over religious persecution in Nigeria. Bishop Anagbe has twice briefed the US Congress this year about Christian-targeted attacks and insecurity in the country.
During Tinubu’s earlier visit to Benue after the Yelwata killings, the Tor Tiv described the situation as “nothing but genocide.”
However, Governor Alia recently told a forum in Abuja that claims of genocide are unfounded.
He said, “I am a Reverend Father, so being in governance does not take that away from me. In my state of Benue, we do not have any religious, ethnic, racial, national or state genocide. We do not have that.”
Alia’s spokesperson, Kula Terso, said the US officials informed the state that the visit was private.
He stated, “They told me it was a private visit. That is why the media was not invited to cover it. That is all I can say on that. Thanks.”
Meanwhile, Iorbee Ihagh, leader of Benue’s three main socio-cultural groups, said he believes the trip is connected to allegations of religious genocide.
He argued that although the state denied such claims, the delegation should have been taken to Yelwata and nearby internally displaced persons camps.
Ihagh, a retired Comptroller of Prisons, added, “Everyone in Benue State believes that the ongoing attacks and killings in the state amount to genocide. The Tiv paramount ruler, the Tor Tiv, made this declaration during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state following the Yelwata attack.
“The Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese has visited the US Congress and presented papers on how Christians are being killed in the state and in Nigeria as a whole.”
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