The United States has called on Nigeria to increase efforts to protect Christian communities from attacks and help displaced people safely return to their homes.
The appeal was made by the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, during meetings with senior Nigerian officials in Abuja, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, Communications Minister Bosun Tijani and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
According to a statement from the US Embassy in Abuja, Garcia’s visit focused on strengthening cooperation between both countries in security, justice, digital development, trade and regional stability.
The statement said Garcia welcomed Nigeria’s efforts under the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group to address its designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), but urged the government to take further action.
“Assistant Secretary Garcia welcomed Nigeria’s increased efforts under the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group to address Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern designation. He also pressed the Nigerians to do more to protect Christians from attacks, and that greater efforts and resources must be allocated to the safe return of internally displaced persons to their homes.”
The US said it looks forward to the next Joint Working Group meeting in Washington, DC, in August, where both countries will review progress on their agreed areas of cooperation.
Garcia also discussed terrorism prosecutions, criminal justice and religious freedom with the Attorney General.
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