Ribadu Says Nigeria Will Treat Religiously Framed Violence as Direct Attack on the State
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government has declared that any act of violence framed along religious lines will be treated as a direct attack on the Nigerian state, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has said. The remarks were made at the conclusion of the first session of the U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group on Religious Freedom and Security held in Abuja this week.
Ribadu, who led Nigeria’s delegation to the working group alongside officials from multiple ministries and security agencies, underscored that Nigeria’s diverse religious landscape — encompassing Christians, Muslims, and adherents of other faiths — makes the protection of all citizens “non-negotiable.”
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society,” he said. “Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself.”
The Joint Working Group was established to deepen cooperation between the Nigerian and U.S. governments in tackling insecurity that affects vulnerable communities, including those targeted because of their religious identities. The initiative follows the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act — a status that has drawn international attention to the ongoing insecurity facing communities across the country.
Ribadu said the federal government’s approach to insecurity goes beyond conventional military operations, combining security deployments, rule of law enforcement, humanitarian safeguards and strategic communication to strengthen public confidence and foster social cohesion.
Officials of both Nigeria and the United States expressed commitment to transforming diplomatic cooperation into tangible progress on the ground. The U.S. delegation, led by Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker, reiterated Washington’s interest in supporting efforts to protect civilians and uphold freedom of religion.
During the discussions, Nigerian officials also highlighted expanded intelligence sharing, enhanced deployments in vulnerable regions, and the development of early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms as part of broader security reforms.
Security analysts say the government’s firm stance on religiously framed violence reflects a growing concern over armed groups and criminal elements that seek to exploit religious identities to deepen divisions and fuel insecurity across the country.
Ribadu’s comments come amid ongoing challenges, including deadly attacks on places of worship and mass abductions in parts of northern Nigeria, which have prompted criticisms and calls for stronger protection of religious communities from both domestic and international actors.
Both Nigerian and U.S. officials have indicated that future sessions of the Working Group will focus on translating policy commitments into strengthened operational cooperation, accountability for perpetrators, and improved protection for civilians across conflict-affected regions.
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