The Federal Government said yesterday that ongoing diplomatic engagements between Nigeria and the United States were yielding positive outcomes in easing tensions between both countries.
The government made this known as U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga expressed disappointment with Nigeria’s handling of attacks on Christians, calling for economic sanctions rather than military intervention.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelisation at the Vatican, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, said Nigeria’s insecurity was self-inflicted, blaming divisions and intolerance for the continued violence.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 northern states and the FCT, also urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue as a means to resolve national challenges. Similarly, Afenifere said the “war approach” would not end terrorism in Nigeria, noting the problem was multifaceted.
On the U.S. engagement, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said discussions between both nations were progressing well.
Speaking on the UK-based Sky News programme “The World With Yalda Hakim,” Idris confirmed that constructive dialogue was underway and building mutual understanding.
“Channels of communication have been opened, I can confirm that. We are talking to them, and I believe they are now appreciating the situation better.
‘’Much of the earlier misunderstanding arose from an incomplete grasp of the diversity and complexity of our domestic challenges,” he said.
The minister revealed that intelligence had identified links between a proscribed separatist group in Nigeria and certain U.S.-based lobby groups allegedly misrepresenting Nigeria’s situation to American policymakers.
He said: “We have observed a direct connection between lobbyists in the United States and a proscribed terrorist group in Nigeria. These groups are actively engaging influential people in the U.S. to advance misleading narratives.’’
Reaffirming Nigeria’s long-standing security partnership with the U.S., Idris urged renewed collaboration to address ongoing challenges.
“Yes, we acknowledge that there are conflicts and security issues in parts of Nigeria. However, the United States has in the past been a dependable ally in helping our country manage such situations.
‘’We are once again calling for that partnership to be strengthened so that, together, we can achieve lasting peace,” he said.
Expressing concern over recent U.S. reports and statistics, the minister added: “We want the world to know that Nigeria shares the concerns about the tragic incidents occurring in some regions, but it is important to understand the diversity and complexity of our society. Some of the figures being circulated cannot withstand scientific scrutiny.”
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to religious freedom, Idris said: “Our constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Nigeria remains a multi-faith country, and the current conflicts are not driven by religious persecution.”
FG not doing enough to end Christian killings — US Congressman
U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga expressed disappointment over Nigeria’s handling of attacks on Christians, advocating economic sanctions instead of military action.
In an interview with Arise News in Washington, DC, Huizenga supported targeted sanctions amid genocide allegations in Nigeria.
He said Nigeria risked repeating tragedies seen in Rwanda and South Sudan if swift action was not taken.
His words: “We were too late on Rwanda, we were too late on South Sudan. Let’s not be too late again on this one.’’
He noted that both Christians and moderate Muslims had been victims of coordinated violence by militants.
Reacting to Trump’s viral remarks that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Huizenga said he did not foresee an actual U.S. military invasion.
“I don’t envision a surprise attack or a military response. Economic pressure and sanctions on individuals and organisations would be more effective.
“Sanctions really cut off the flow of money and travel. We don’t know who is financing these operations, but economic pressure will have a positive impact,’’ he said.
Huizenga criticised Nigeria’s response as dismissive, urging the government to protect all citizens and address insecurity that threatens economic growth and investment.
Tinubu, COAS meet behind closed doors
Also yesterday, President Bola Tinubu met privately with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid rising insecurity nationwide.
After the meeting, Shaibu assured Nigerians of improved security, saying his operational assessment following a visit to the Northeast showed positive progress.
He said: “I came to brief him on the outcome of my visit to the Northeast and then look at other security situations across the country, which was satisfactory within this period.”
The assurance followed recent airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force that neutralised terrorists in Borno, Katsina, and Kwara states.
Nigeria bleeding from its own divisions — Vatican Envoy
At an event in Abuja, Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu said Nigeria’s insecurity was “self-inflicted,” urging citizens to see diversity as a source of strength.
He said: “Differences are not supposed to be something negative. God made creation with differences, but He also made them to be united.”
He stressed that unity across faiths was crucial to ending insecurity, adding that divisions had turned blessings into sources of pain.
Embrace dialogue, not anger over Trump’s comments — Northern CAN
Northern CAN chairman, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, urged Nigerians to view Trump’s comments as an opportunity for dialogue, not anger.
Hayab said: “Donald Trump’s statement should be seen as an opportunity for constructive dialogue, not an outburst of anger.”
He added that Nigerians were beginning to use the situation to promote peace and unity, stressing that ending the killings was key to restoring trust and growth.
Terrorism in Nigeria multifaceted; govt, security agencies should do more — Afenifere
Afenifere cautioned that terrorism in Nigeria was multifaceted and could not be solved by conventional warfare.
The group said: “The approach to defeating terrorists in Nigeria requires tact, hard-track intelligence, diligence, commitment and sincerity on the part of those deployed to fight them.”
It warned against U.S. military intervention, urging instead for intelligence sharing, training, and limited air operations to combat insurgency.
Trump didn’t lie about killings — Orji Kalu
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu said Trump was right that Nigerians were being killed, stressing that both Christians and Muslims were victims.
He said: “There are jihadists who just want to destroy Nigeria. We should blacklist them without pity, so they will be smoked out.”
Kalu noted that the insecurity crisis worsened after the fall of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, which led to a proliferation of arms across Africa.
He added that U.S. intelligence likely helped Nigeria locate terrorist camps, enabling recent successful airstrikes, and clarified that Washington’s concern was not against Tinubu’s administration but against jihadist elements destabilising the country.
