The national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has said the federal government views religiously motivated violence as a direct assault on the Nigerian state.
He stressed that safeguarding Christians, Muslims and followers of other faiths remains a core priority for the government and cannot be compromised.
According to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja at the close of the US–Nigeria joint working group meeting.
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens—Christians, Muslims, and those of other beliefs—is non-negotiable,” the NSA was quoted as saying.
“Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself.”
In a separate post on his X handle on Friday, Ribadu noted that engagements by the Nigeria–US working group have yielded “tangible operational gains” in the fight against terrorism.
The joint working group was set up following Nigeria’s designation as a country of particular concern (CPC) by US President Donald Trump, a classification that often comes with policy measures aimed at ending severe violations of religious freedom.
At the meeting, Ribadu led Nigeria’s delegation made up of representatives from 10 ministries and agencies, while Allison Hooker, US under-secretary of state, headed a team drawn from eight federal agencies.
Ribadu said security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States has progressed from discussions to concrete action, with notable successes recorded in disrupting terrorist networks and transnational criminal groups.
He also praised the US government for supplying drones, helicopters, platforms, spare parts and other support systems acquired over the past five years.
Speaking at the session, Hooker said the US delegation was in Abuja to strengthen collaboration with Nigeria in areas of shared concern.
She added that discussions would focus on strategies to curb attacks on Christian communities.
“Today, we are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities, prioritising counter-terrorism, insecurity, investigating attacks and holding perpetrators accountable,” she said.
“Reducing the number of killings, forced displacements, and abductions of Christians, particularly north-central states.”