Riley Moore, a member of the US house of representatives, says the establishment of the US-Nigeria working group is a necessary step toward combating the security challenges facing Nigeria.
Moore spoke in the wake of the conclusion of a two-day high-level working group engagement between both countries.
The group was formed to address President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ (CPC).
Trump made the move in response to allegations of Christian persecution in the country, a claim the Nigerian government had repeatedly denied.
Members of the working group held their first meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser (NSA), led the Nigerian delegation, while Allison Hooker, under-secretary of state, headed the US team.
In a tweet on Saturday, Moore said the joint group would increase coordination and cooperation between both countries and promote shared values of religious freedom.
Moore described the alliance as a rare opportunity to fortify US-Nigeria cooperation.
“Nigeria has a once in a lifetime chance to strengthen its relationship with the US as we work cooperatively to counter violent terrorism throughout the northern states and middle belt, end the persecution of Christians, and address the broader economic and security challenges the nation faces,” he said.
“Nigeria now also has a real opportunity to increase its capacity to be a stabilizing force in the region. This agreement shows the Nigerians are continuing to take the situation seriously and are working to address the security conditions in good faith.”
Moore thanked the Nigerian government for partnering with the US to address the challenges.
