President Bola Tinubu and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on Sunday held talks on the security crisis facing the country, touching on areas of collaboration.
The telephone conversation held as a United States delegation comprising the US ambassador to Nigeria and other top officials parleyed with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja, on the reported Christian persecution and killings in the country.
In a message posted on X on Sunday, Macron said he spoke with President Tinubu and affirmed that France will strengthen its partnership with Nigerian authorities.
He wrote, “I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria, @officialABAT. I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North.
“At his (Tinubu’s) 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,” the French President added.
Macron also stated that, in fulfilment of Tinubu’s request, his government will cooperate with the Federal Government to provide support for the affected populations.
Macron’s statement follows a wave of gun attacks and kidnappings, particularly in schools and communities across the northern region, that have drawn international condemnation.
The French leader’s solidarity comes days after Tinubu swore in a new Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), with a charge to deliver quick results.
On November 26, Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency, ordering the army, police and intelligence services to immediately expand recruitment and deploy thousands of additional personnel.
He had also asked security agencies to prioritise the safety of schools, farms and places of worship, while governors step up local early-warning systems.
Tinubu’s conversation with Macron also follows broader international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security crisis, especially from US President Donald Trump, who, in early November, threatened to invade the country, citing an alleged genocide against Christians.
Trump recently re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations and threatened military intervention.
The Federal Government has consistently rejected claims of Christian persecution, insisting that insecurity in Nigeria cuts across all religions.
The situation has prompted the Federal Government to seek diplomatic aid from the international community.
On November 20, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted Ribadu at the Pentagon to discuss strategies to solve the problem.
That same day, the US House Subcommittee on Africa held a public hearing to examine the re-designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, while lawmakers also held an open briefing to assess the potential implications of the designation.
Last Tuesday, House Republicans issued warnings about rising religious violence in Nigeria during a joint briefing convened at the instance of President Trump, who on October 31 instructed Moore and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate what he described as the slaughter of Christians in the country and report their findings to the White House.
Confirming his meeting with the US officials, the NSA disclosed he hosted a US Congressional delegation as part of ongoing security consultations between both countries.
In a message shared on his X handle, Ribadu said the visit followed earlier talks held in Washington, DC, centred on mutual security interests.
“This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities,” he said.
He added that the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, was also present, a development he said “reflected the importance both nations attach to this engagement.”
According to Ribadu, discussions focused on “counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability,” and ways to “strengthen the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.”
“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to peace and security,” he said.
Also, a member of the US House of Representatives, Riley Moore, said on Sunday that he had concluded a very productive visit to Nigeria.
Security crisis: Tinubu, Macron hold talks as US fact-finders arrive
