US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth meets Nuhu Ribadu amid allegations of persecution against Christians

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has met with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and his delegation at the Pentagon to address what the Trump administration describes as escalating and “horrific” attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria, largely attributed to jihadist militant groups.

In a statement shared on his official X account, @SecWar, Hegseth said: “Yesterday, I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country. Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”

The post included photos from the meeting, documenting formal introductions and a closed-door discussion. The engagement comes amid heightened U.S. concern over Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly in the northern and Middle Belt regions, where Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed Fulani militants have been linked to ongoing attacks.

Human rights groups such as Open Doors and the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law have repeatedly warned about a surge in fatalities.

Recent estimates indicate that more than 7,000 Christians were killed in the first seven months of 2025, averaging over 30 deaths per day, due to mass killings, kidnappings, and assaults on churches and rural communities. The Pentagon meeting also follows a series of stark warnings from President Donald Trump, who has threatened possible U.S. military intervention if Nigeria fails to curb extremist violence.

Trump has suggested that American forces could be deployed “guns-a-blazing” to confront jihadist groups if necessary.

Earlier this year, the administration returned Nigeria to the list of Countries of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations—reversing a previous delisting—and tied future U.S. assistance to measurable progress in protecting vulnerable religious minorities.