By Comfort Asemota
President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron held talks on Sunday over Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, exploring avenues for collaboration.
The discussion came as a United States delegation, including the US Ambassador to Nigeria and senior officials, met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja to address reports of religious persecution and killings in the country.
In a message on X, Macron confirmed his conversation with Tinubu, emphasizing France’s solidarity with Nigeria in the face of security threats, particularly terrorism in the North. He said, “At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator.”
Macron’s statement follows a spate of gun attacks and kidnappings, especially targeting schools and communities in northern Nigeria, which have drawn international concern. The French government’s support aligns with Tinubu’s recent security measures, including the appointment of Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.) as Minister of Defence and the declaration of a nationwide security emergency on November 26, which ordered expanded recruitment and deployment of military and intelligence personnel.
The conversation between Tinubu and Macron also comes amid heightened international scrutiny. In early November, US President Donald Trump threatened military action, citing alleged Christian persecution, and re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations. The Federal Government has consistently rejected claims of religiously targeted violence, emphasizing that insecurity affects all communities.
Confirming the US delegation’s visit, NSA Nuhu Ribadu said it followed earlier discussions in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities. He added that the meetings focused on counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability, and strengthening the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.
Riley Moore, a US House Representative who was part of the delegation, described the visit as “very productive,” noting that further details on discussions would be shared later.
The engagements with France and the United States underscore Nigeria’s efforts to secure international support amid escalating security challenges across the country.
