US and Nigeria Near Strategic Security Agreement to Combat Terrorism.

The United States and Nigeria are on the verge of finalizing a strategic security agreement aimed at addressing terrorism and sectarian violence in the country. US Congressman Riley Moore announced this development on Saturday, following recent discussions with Nigerian authorities.

According to Moore, the proposed framework will focus on combating extremist groups operating in the North-East, including Boko Haram and ISIS-linked factions, as well as addressing violence in the Middle Belt region. The congressman described the Middle Belt violence as a “genocide against Christians” by radical Fulani Muslims, a claim rejected by the Federal Government, which maintains that the country’s security challenges are not driven by religion.

Moore’s statement follows a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, where he led a US congressional delegation to assess the security situation and meet with government officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi. The delegation also visited internally displaced persons, survivors of terrorist attacks, and community leaders in Benue State.

The US has designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged persecution of Christians, a position disputed by the Federal Government. Moore’s visit aims to strengthen US-Nigeria cooperation on security issues, with a focus on counter-terrorism and regional stability.