US, Nigeria discuss Christians’ protection, terrorists’ prosecution

The second session of the United States-Nigeria Joint Working Group, JWG on Nigeria’s Particular Concern Designation took place this week in Washington.

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker hosted the meeting attended by a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

A readout by the State Department on Friday disclosed that deliberations centred on three issues, namely the protection of Christian communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.

Other priority areas were holding perpetrators of violence accountable by strengthening judicial and security institutions, and military-to-military cooperation.

Both sides reviewed progress on the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes, counterterrorism prosecutions, and combating the financing of terrorism.

The “continuing challenges” highlighted during the parley include incidents of civilian fatalities and gaps in transparency regarding humanitarian expenditure. 

The U.S. noted Nigeria’s reported efforts on the prosecution of hundreds of terror suspects, expansion of judicial capacity, and recruitment and training of 50,000 additional police officers.

Washington and Abuja agreed to sustain coordination on countering terrorism financing, and biometric information sharing to support accountability measures.

Furthermore, law enforcement capacity will be bolstered through the Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the Bureau of Counterterrorism.

During a private conversation with Ribadu, Hooker reaffirmed the U.S’ commitment to working with Nigeria to protect Christian communities and to deepen joint security cooperation.

On Thursday, the Nigerian delegation visited the Pentagon, where talks with U.S. defense officials focused on military collaboration. 

The first JWG session was held in Abuja on January 22.