US Congressional delegation positive about security parley with Nigerian government in Abuja

MEMBERS of an American Congressional delegation have held a series of meetings with Nigerian government officials about addressing the ongoing insecurity in the country and are now confident that the ,matter can brought under control.

Last month, US president Donald Trump announced that Washington was planning to attack Nigeria in response to the ongoing genocide against Christians. In what can only be described as an utterance based on misinformation, President Trump declared that he has asked his generals to draw up plans regarding how to attack Nigeria in response to the incessant attacks.

In response to the declaration, the presidency in Abuja has announced that presidents Tinubu and Trump will be meeting soon over the matter. As the debate raged, the House of Representatives Sub-committee on Africa held public meetings to see if there is any truth to the fact that there is religious persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Among other things, it looked at President Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), which if ratified by the Senate, would allow the US to impose sanctions on Nigerian officials found complicit in religious persecution and limit certain forms of bilateral assistance. To get a better understanding of the matter, a US official delegation arrived in Nigeria yesterday and immediately held a meeting with government officials.

Earlier today, the US delegation revealed details of its meeting with Nigerian officials, led by the national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Hon Riley Moore, Congressman representing West Virginia’s Second District, who was part of the delegation, said the meeting was productive and positive.

He added that concrete steps and actions were discussed at length during the meeting, stating that if the outcome is fully executed, it will enhance security across the country for all Nigerians. Congressman Moore said there is an openness and willingness on the part of the Nigerian government to work with its US counterpart to end the security crisis.

However, said the openness has to translate to concrete action but thanked President Tinubu’s government for rescuing the 100 innocent and precious Catholic school children. He added that the release of the abductees is a positive demonstration of the government’s increasing response to the security situation and shows commitment to the emergency declaration laid out by President Tinubu.

Congressman Moore said: “The US’ sense of urgency on our concerns was positively received. I feel that a cooperative security framework is within sight as the now established joint task force between Nigeria and the US is a great example.

“There is much work still to be done, but things are moving in the right direction. I look forward to the next steps with the Nigerian government and the continued open dialogue. Peace be with you all. God bless the great people of Nigeria."