The Federal Government has confirmed that ongoing diplomatic discussions between Nigeria and the United States are yielding positive outcomes aimed at easing tensions and strengthening bilateral relations.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during an interview on the UK-based Sky News programme, The World with Yalda Hakim, on Monday night. Idris explained that “channels of communication have been opened” and that both countries are making progress toward mutual understanding.
According to him, earlier misunderstandings between the two nations stemmed from “an incomplete grasp of the diversity and complexity of Nigeria’s domestic challenges.” He revealed that intelligence reports have linked a proscribed separatist group in Nigeria to some U.S.-based lobby organizations allegedly spreading misleading narratives about Nigeria to policymakers in Washington.
“We have observed a direct connection between lobbyists in the United States and a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria,” the minister said, adding that such groups are deliberately influencing perceptions of Nigeria’s security situation.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to its partnership with the U.S. in the fight against terrorism, Idris said: “The United States has always been a dependable ally, and we are calling for renewed cooperation to achieve lasting peace.”
He also dismissed exaggerated statistics about religious persecution in Nigeria, stating that the country’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that current conflicts are not based on faith differences.
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U.S. Congressman Calls for Economic Sanctions, Not Military Intervention
In Washington, U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga expressed disappointment in Nigeria’s handling of attacks on Christians, advocating targeted economic sanctions instead of military action.
In an interview with Arise News, Huizenga said Nigeria risked repeating tragedies like those of Rwanda and South Sudan if urgent action was not taken. He emphasized that “economic pressure and sanctions” would be more effective than military invasion, noting that such measures would restrict funding and travel for those financing violence.
Huizenga criticized the Nigerian government’s response as dismissive, saying it must do more to protect all citizens. “When you can’t guarantee the safety of workers or businesses, you have a problem,” he added, stressing that insecurity threatens Nigeria’s economy and investment climate.
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Tinubu Meets COAS Behind Closed Doors
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu met privately with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to discuss the worsening security situation across the country.
After the meeting, Shaibu told journalists that his recent operational tour of the Northeast showed encouraging progress. He assured Nigerians of “improved security nationwide” in the coming weeks, citing intensified joint military operations targeting terrorists and bandits in several states.
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Vatican Envoy: Nigeria’s Insecurity is Self-Inflicted
At the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria in Abuja, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelisation at the Vatican, described Nigeria’s insecurity as self-inflicted.
Speaking during his induction into the Knights of St. John International, Nwachukwu urged Nigerians to view diversity as a strength rather than a source of division.
“Differences should not divide us,” he said. “Our languages and ethnic identities should form the beauty of our unity. Whether we are Christians or Muslims, our unity flows from our belief in one God.”
The Vatican envoy emphasized that true peace would only be achieved when Nigerians learn to embrace unity across ethnic and religious lines.
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Northern CAN Urges Dialogue Over Tension
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the FCT has appealed for calm and dialogue amid the growing controversy over foreign comments on Nigeria’s religious conflicts.
Reverend John Joseph Hayab, chairman of the northern CAN, told the News Agency of Nigeria that Nigerians should view U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statements as “an opportunity for constructive dialogue, not anger.”
He said many Nigerians who initially reacted negatively were beginning to use the situation to promote peace conversations. “When we stop the killings, trust among the people will be restored and peace will become the foundation for our nation’s growth,” Hayab said.
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Afenifere Rejects ‘War Approach,’ Calls for Intelligence-Led Solutions
The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, cautioned against adopting a “war-style” response to Nigeria’s terrorism crisis, describing the problem as multifaceted and deeply rooted.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group warned that the alleged U.S. plans for military intervention in Nigeria could worsen instability, citing the aftermath of U.S. campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Afenifere urged the U.S. and Nigerian governments to focus instead on intelligence sharing, surveillance technology, and limited air operations to counter terrorists effectively. “Terrorists mingle with ordinary citizens, making them difficult to identify,” the statement noted, stressing the need for diligence and sincerity in security operations.
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Orji Kalu: Both Christians and Muslims Are Victims
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, supported the view that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from terrorist attacks in Nigeria.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Kalu said, “Trump didn’t lie—Nigerians are being killed regardless of their religion. There are jihadists determined to destroy Nigeria, and they must be blacklisted.”
Kalu revealed that he had previously discussed Nigeria’s security concerns with former U.S. presidents and senators, all of whom expressed willingness to help Nigeria fight terrorism. He added that the recent airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force might be benefiting from U.S. intelligence support.
He also linked the current proliferation of weapons in Africa to the fall of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, arguing that their deaths destabilized regional borders and led to widespread arms smuggling.
“The U.S. is not targeting President Tinubu’s administration,” Kalu clarified. “They are going after jihadist groups threatening Nigeria’s stability.”
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Would you like me to make this version more newsroom-ready for publication under Newsday Reporter (with a sharper intro, balanced flow, and paragraph tightening)?
