Nigeria announces renewed US security partnership

Nigerian authorities announced on Monday the country had strengthened its "security partnership" with the United States, while again rejecting accusations of targeted persecution against Christians in the West African country.

The announcement follows US President Donald Trump's threats of military intervention in early November over allegations that terrorists were "killing Christians " in Nigeria, claims Abuja has vehemently rejected.

A Nigerian delegation including the national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, visited Washington last week to meet with senior US officials to discuss their concerns, according to a statement from Nigeria on Monday.

"Following these engagements, the United States government affirmed its readiness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria," the statement from Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the Nigerian president, said.

Intelligence support

He specified that the cooperation includes enhanced intelligence support, expedited processing of defence equipment requests and the "potential provision of excess defence articles."

While meeting with US officials, Nigerian authorities said they "refuted allegations of genocide" against Christians, "emphasising that violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines", according to the statement.

"The delegation strongly rejected wrongful framing of the situation, saying such would only divide Nigerians and distort the realities on the ground," it added.

On Friday, the US Department of Defense said the two parties discussed ways to end violence against Christians and strengthen the fight against terrorism that has plagued much of the region.

Terrorism

Nigeria has faced terrorism in the northeast that has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced around two million since it broke out in 2009.

The violence has spilt over into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting the creation of a regional military force to fight the terrorists.

Nigeria has also faced violence led by "bandit" gangs in the northwest that commit kidnappings, village raids, and killings.