As Nigeria battles a deepening wave of insecurity,
France has pledged major support to help the country confront its escalating
security challenges, especially the growing terrorist threat in the northern
region.
French President Emmanuel Macron gave the assurance on
Sunday during a telephone conversation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
affirming France’s readiness to expand security cooperation at Tinubu’s
request.
“I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria,” Macron
wrote on X. “I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security
challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North. At his request, we
will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the
affected populations.”
Calling for greater international involvement, Macron
added: “We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can
remain a spectator.”
His comments come amid intensified global attention on
Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation, marked by frequent gunmen attacks,
school kidnappings, and community raids across the northern states—events that
have drawn widespread international condemnation.
TINUBU’S EMERGENCY SECURITY MEASURES
In response to the worsening crisis, President Tinubu
on November 26 declared a nationwide security emergency, ordering the military,
police, and intelligence agencies to boost recruitment and deploy thousands of
new personnel immediately.
He also directed security forces to prioritize the
protection of schools, farms, religious centres, and vulnerable communities,
while urging governors to strengthen early-warning and community intelligence
systems.
U.S. INTENSIFIES SCRUTINY OVER RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM, SECURITY
Macron’s pledge came the same day a high-powered U.S.
delegation met with the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, in
Abuja. The meeting focused on allegations of Christian persecution and broader
insecurity concerns in the country.
This follows heightened rhetoric from U.S. President
Donald Trump, who recently re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular
Concern (CPC) for alleged religious freedom violations. Trump has
repeatedly accused Nigeria of committing “genocide against Christians” and even
threatened possible military intervention—claims Nigeria’s Federal Government
strongly rejects.
Abuja insists that insecurity affects citizens
“regardless of religion or ethnicity,” and has dismissed the persecution
allegations as misleading and politically charged.
Confirming Sunday’s meeting, Ribadu said the latest
U.S. visit is part of ongoing bilateral consultations on shared security
priorities.
“This morning, I received a U.S. Congressional
delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier
engagements in Washington, DC,” he wrote on X.
Ribadu noted that U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills
accompanied the delegation, adding that discussions focused on
counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability, and strengthening the
strategic security partnership between both countries.
“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust,
collaboration, and shared commitment to peace and security,” he said.
MULTIPLE U.S. OFFICIALS VISIT NIGERIA,
BENUE AMID RELIGIOUS TENSION CLAIMS
U.S. Representative Riley Moore also announced the
conclusion of what he described as “a productive visit to Nigeria,” stating:
“I came to Nigeria in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the American
people.”
He offered no details about the officials he met or
the specific purpose of his mission.
Similarly, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State and
Ambassador Richard Mills visited Benue State on Saturday, meeting Governor
Hyacinth Alia, prominent Catholic bishops, and the paramount ruler of the Tiv
nation, Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse.
Though the U.S. did not publicly disclose the purpose
of the visit, local reports indicate it may be linked to America’s allegations
of religious persecution and concerns over recurring violent attacks in the
state.
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