NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, Meets U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth as Both Countries Deepen Cooperation Against Terrorism and Banditry

National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has met with the United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, as Nigeria and the U.S. intensify collaboration to confront terrorism, banditry, and religiously motivated violence affecting parts of the country.

The meeting, held at the Pentagon, comes at a time of heightened U.S. interest in Nigeria’s security situation. According to an official readout from the U.S. Department of War, Ribadu and Hegseth discussed ways the two nations could “make tangible progress on stopping violence against Christians in Nigeria and combatting West African jihadist terrorist groups.” The Department expressed a willingness to work alongside Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorist organisations threatening the region.

A significant part of the conversation focused on religiously targeted killings. Hegseth urged Nigeria to take “urgent and enduring action” to stop violence against Christian communities. The meeting follows recent criticism from the U.S. political circles, including comments from President Donald Trump, which placed Nigeria’s religious violence in global focus. Ribadu’s visit is viewed as part of Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts to reassure Washington while clarifying the government’s security strategies.

Ribadu has also recently emphasised the need to cut off financial networks that fund terrorism, kidnappings, and banditry. He has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intensify financial tracking efforts, while the U.S. signalled readiness to support intelligence sharing and capacity-building to disrupt these funding channels.

Although no formal announcement was made regarding military deployment, the language from the War Department suggested a willingness to strengthen cooperation with Nigeria through joint deterrence rather than unilateral intervention. Ribadu has repeatedly maintained that the Nigerian government will “hunt terrorists, find them, and bring them to justice,” even as domestic critics, including former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, accuse him of mishandling security challenges.

The meeting is expected to shape future engagements between both nations, potentially deepening collaboration in intelligence, training, and counter-terrorism operations. It also signals Nigeria’s effort to safeguard its sovereignty while leveraging international partnerships to confront growing security threats.