The United States has called on the Nigerian government to strengthen efforts aimed at safeguarding Christian communities across the country, citing ongoing security concerns despite some recent progress.
The appeal was made on Thursday by the US Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, during a high-level US–Nigeria Working Group meeting held in Abuja.
Hooker acknowledged that improvements had been recorded in recent months but stressed that continued attacks showed Nigeria needed to do more to guarantee the safety of Christians.
“Today, we are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities, prioritising counterterrorism and insecurity; investigating attacks and holding perpetrators accountable; and reducing the number of killings, forced displacements, and abductions of Christians, particularly in the North-Central states,” Hooker said.
She noted that the Nigerian government had recently secured the release of 38 Christians abducted from a church in Kwara State, as well as 265 others taken from St. Mary’s Catholic School, describing the development as tangible progress resulting from cooperation between both countries.
“With respect to the protection of Christians, the Nigerian government recently secured the release of 38 Christians abducted from a church in Kwara State, and another 265 abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School. This real progress is a direct result of our engagement with the Nigerian government and our partnership,” she said.
However, Hooker expressed concern over reports that gunmen abducted more than 170 Christians in Kaduna State on January 18, stating that such incidents must come to an end.
“We are, however, concerned about recent reports that gunmen kidnapped more than 170 Christians in Kaduna State on January 18. We want to see an end to this type of violence. And we are here to work with the Nigerian government with the goal of protecting Christians and their right to practise their faith freely and safely,” she added.
She further urged the Nigerian authorities to collaborate closely with local officials to secure the release of those abducted and to engage with non-governmental organisations to support affected families in the interim.
Hooker explained that progress in religious freedom and security would also enhance broader US–Nigeria relations, including cooperation in trade, economic development, public health, and counterterrorism efforts. According to her, such advancements would help both nations strengthen mutual benefits, weaken terrorist groups, and support the return of internally displaced persons to their communities.
“We also hope to identify ways to return internally displaced persons to the communities from which they were expelled in the North-Central states, interdict weapons and funding going to terrorist groups, expand investigations, and ensure the prosecution of individuals and groups committing atrocities,” she stated.
‘Protection Of All Citizens Non-Negotiable’
In response, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had taken deliberate and firm actions to confront insecurity through intensified joint operations and the sustained deployment of security forces to areas experiencing repeated attacks on civilians and religious groups.
“These directives have been matched with concrete action. Nigeria is expanding early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms, developing a national database to serve as a single, authoritative source of accurate and verifiable data on deaths and casualties arising from violence,” Ribadu said.
He explained that the initiative would support evidence-based decision-making, improve accountability, and enhance the effectiveness of security responses. Ribadu also noted that investigations and prosecutions linked to attacks on religious communities had been stepped up to ensure justice.
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens—Christians, Muslims, and those of other beliefs—is non-negotiable. Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s response combines security operations, adherence to the rule of law, humanitarian protections, and strategic communication, with the aim of ensuring that operational gains translate into public confidence and stronger social cohesion.
US-Nigeria Partnership ‘Working’
Ribadu said the partnership between Nigeria and the United States was yielding results, adding that progress should be assessed based on long-term direction and institutional capacity rather than isolated incidents within a complex security environment.
“We also recognise that our partnership with the United States extends well beyond security cooperation. It encompasses democratic resilience, respect for the rule of law, regional stability in West Africa and a shared determination to prevent extremist and malign actors from exploiting governance gaps or social fractures,” he added.
The meeting followed the abduction of over 100 worshippers in the Kurmin Wali community of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State by bandits. Although the police initially denied the incident, the attack was later confirmed, triggering public outrage and criticism from stakeholders, including the Christian Association of Nigeria.
“The manner [in which] the police commissioner and other security agencies came out to outright say that this thing did not happen to me, it’s a total disappointment, a total failure, and it’s just increased the lack of trust that exists between the people and those who are securing them,” the northern CAN chairman, Joseph Hayab, said on Channels Television.
Nigeria-US Security Group
The security concerns come against the backdrop of Nigeria’s approval of its side of the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group in November 2025, following agreements reached during a high-level Nigerian delegation’s visit to Washington, DC.
The group comprises senior government and security officials tasked with deepening collaboration on security challenges facing the country.
What you should know
The United States has renewed pressure on Nigeria to improve the protection of Christian communities following repeated abductions and attacks, particularly in the North-Central region.
While US officials acknowledged progress, including the release of previously abducted Christians, they warned that recent incidents in Kaduna State highlight persistent gaps. Nigerian authorities insist security operations have been intensified and that protecting all citizens remains non-negotiable.
The issue has also raised concerns about public trust in security agencies, especially after initial denials of reported abductions.
