President Bola Tinubu and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday held discussions on Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, focusing on areas of cooperation between both countries.
The call came as a United States delegation — including the US Ambassador to Nigeria and senior officials — met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja to address concerns over reported religious persecution and widespread killings.
In a message shared on X, Macron said he had expressed France’s solidarity with Nigeria and pledged to deepen security collaboration.
“I spoke with President Tinubu. I conveyed France’s solidarity amid the various security challenges, especially the terrorist threat in the North. At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with Nigerian authorities and support affected communities,” Macron wrote, urging international partners not to remain passive.
Macron’s statement follows an upsurge in attacks and mass kidnappings, particularly in schools and northern communities. His show of support also comes shortly after Tinubu swore in Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.) as Minister of Defence, mandating him to deliver swift results.
On November 26, Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency and ordered the military, police, and intelligence agencies to boost recruitment and deploy thousands more operatives. He also directed that schools, farms, and worship centres receive priority protection and urged governors to improve local intelligence systems.
The renewed French–Nigerian engagement comes amid wider global scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation, particularly from US President Donald Trump, who recently re-listed Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution and even threatened military intervention — claims the Federal Government has repeatedly rejected.
US Delegation Begins Fact-Finding Mission
NSA Ribadu confirmed that he received a US Congressional team on a fact-finding visit, following earlier security talks in Washington, DC.
He said the meeting centred on counter-terrorism partnership, regional stability, and efforts to strengthen the strategic security relationship between both countries. US Ambassador Richard Mills was present at the meeting.
Similarly, US House member Riley Moore announced on X that he had concluded a “productive visit” to Nigeria, though he did not provide details of his engagements.
In Benue State, Mills and the US Assistant Secretary of State also met Governor Hyacinth Alia, Catholic bishops, and the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse. Though the purpose was not disclosed, the visit is believed to be linked to allegations of religious genocide.
While Bishop Wilfred Anagbe and the Tor Tiv have previously raised genocide concerns before US authorities, Governor Alia has publicly denied such claims, insisting Benue’s crisis is not religious or ethnic in nature.
FG Reportedly Secures Release of 100 Abducted Pupils
The Federal Government has reportedly achieved the release of 100 children kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Niger State. However, the authorities had not officially confirmed the development at press time.
The news comes a week after Ribadu visited the school and assured parents that the abducted children would be rescued. On November 21, gunmen abducted 315 people — 303 students and 12 teachers — from the remote community. Fifty students escaped within 24 hours, but 265 remained in captivity until the recent reported breakthrough.
Security forces launched a major rescue operation involving aerial surveillance across Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara States, while several schools in the North were temporarily shut.
Northern Leaders Blamed for Rising Insecurity
Former presidential aspirant Gbenga Hashim said northern political and social elites must take responsibility for the worsening insecurity in the region, arguing that decades of governance failure have fuelled extremism and violence.
He hailed Defence Minister Musa’s appointment, saying it must translate into measurable results. Hashim urged federal and state authorities to fast-track laws enabling state and local police structures, insisting Nigeria cannot curb crime without stronger grassroots security.
He warned that Nigerians are impatient with rhetoric: “This is the season for action, not symbolism.”
Scholars Sound Alarm on Northern Decline
Prof. Abubakar Siddique of Ahmadu Bello University, speaking at the General Hassan Usman Katsina Memorial Conference, said the North now faces dangerous levels of multidimensional poverty, economic stagnation, and insecurity. He warned that the crisis threatens national stability if not urgently addressed.
He highlighted:
65% of Nigeria’s multidimensionally poor reside in the North
10 million out-of-school children nationwide, 60% in the North
Youth unemployment exceeding 50% in some northern states
Loss of 350,000 hectares to desertification yearly
Over 35,000 deaths from Boko Haram since 2009
Widespread banditry and kidnapping
Siddique called for comprehensive reforms in governance, education, economic planning, and security restructuring.
Tributes to General Hassan Katsina
Retired military leaders, academics, and policymakers also paid tribute to the late General Hassan Katsina, former Military Governor of Northern Nigeria, at the conference.
Former Chief of Defence Staff Lt-Gen Alani Akirinade (retd.), represented by Maj-Gen Paul Tarfa (retd.), praised Katsina as a soldier of integrity whose leadership during the civil war and post-war reconstruction remains a model of service and discipline.
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