President Bola Tinubu has held a telephone discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron on Nigeria’s growing security crisis.

Macron in a post on X said he assured Tinubu of France’s support, especially against terrorist threats in the northern region, adding that France will work more closely with Nigerian authorities and help communities affected by violence.

The French leader’s message comes at a time of rising attacks, kidnappings, and school abductions in the North. It also follows the swearing-in of a new Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), and Tinubu’s recent directive for security agencies to expand recruitment and protect schools, farms, and places of worship.

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While Macron spoke with Tinubu, a United States delegation, including the US ambassador, met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja. Their discussion focused on claims of religious violence and the wider insecurity in the country. Nigeria has repeatedly denied accusations of Christian persecution, insisting the crisis affects all groups.

Ribadu confirmed the meeting and said it was part of ongoing consultations between both countries. He noted that talks in Washington earlier had centred on shared security interests.

Source: Punch