US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has met Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Washington to discuss what the Trump administration says is worsening violence targeting Christian communities across Africa’s most populous nation.
Hegseth confirmed the meeting in a post on X, saying he and Ribadu discussed “the horrific violence against Christians” in Nigeria, adding that the US was working “aggressively” with Abuja to curb attacks carried out by jihadist armed groups. Photographs released by Hegseth showed the two delegations in talks at the Pentagon.
The discussions come amid heightened US concern over persistent insecurity in Nigeria’s north and Middle Belt, where Boko Haram, ISWAP and armed militia groups have carried out repeated assaults on villages, churches and remote farming settlements.
Human rights groups, including Open Doors and the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, have reported rising death tolls. More than 7,000 Christians were killed in the first seven months of 2025, according to recent tallies, averaging more than 30 deaths per day through mass killings, raids and abductions.
The talks also follow the kidnapping of 215 pupils and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in Niger State, an incident that has further intensified public alarm over deteriorating security conditions.
President Donald Trump has issued a series of warnings to Nigeria over the violence and has suggested possible US military intervention if Abuja fails to contain extremist groups. His administration earlier this year returned Nigeria to the list of “Countries of Particular Concern” for violations of religious freedom, linking future US assistance to progress in protecting vulnerable communities.