₦airaland Forum

In Closed-Door Session, Ribadu Meets Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary at Pentagon

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, held a closed-door meeting on Thursday evening with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, at the Pentagon—an engagement seen as crucial in stabilising U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation following former President Donald Trump’s recent threats to deploy American troops to Nigeria.

Two U.S. defence officials confirmed the meeting, which did not appear on the public schedules of either Hegseth or Caine. Ribadu’s arrival at the Pentagon was also not open to the press, underscoring the sensitivity of the discussions.

Although the Department of Defense—now repeatedly referred to by Hegseth as the “Department of War”—declined to comment on the agenda, senior security sources familiar with the meeting said Mal. Ribadu sought to reinforce Nigeria’s partnership with the United States and to provide clarity on the country’s counterterrorism operations.

The session reportedly focused on strengthening intelligence sharing, expanding joint training for Nigerian forces, and addressing U.S. concerns fuelled by misinformation about religious persecution in Nigeria.

Ribadu, according to officials briefed on the meeting, highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to dismantle insurgent and criminal networks across the North East and North West, and emphasised that collaborative counterterrorism efforts—not unilateral foreign intervention—remain the most effective path.

Nigeria has already rejected its designation as a “country of particular concern,” insisting that the label was driven by faulty data. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated that position, stressing that the portrayal of Nigeria as religiously intolerant “does not reflect our national reality,” and fails to acknowledge the government’s consistent work to uphold freedom of religion and belief.

Security observers say Ribadu’s outreach—which comes at a delicate diplomatic moment—helped reaffirm Nigeria as a reliable partner to Washington, ensured continuity in defence cooperation, and countered escalating political rhetoric suggesting U.S. military action.

I have big reservations about this.

I need to go check Ribadus past statements

Ribadu don go submit the name of terrorist and their sponsors, their days are numbered.

All those crying that Trump should not send troops to Nigeria should be ready to cry more.

Trump is here

Tinubu should better open a direct communication channel with Trump, Relying on sycophants like Tugur will not bring any tangible result as those ones are just there to protect the northern interest in the government and not for the good of the generality of Nigerians.

It is worrisome that the North who protested with Russia flag suddenly developed cold feet at the mentioned of the US.

Same people that Buhari channelled all foreign aids to suddenly remember sovereignty when same foreign countries wanted to destroy their army of terrorist.

The worst set of people in all these are the Southerners who have taken it as duty by spreading the northern propaganda.

America marines should site their air force base in the north east and north west

The day of those terrorists in Nigeria is numbered, GOD bless president Trump and America
Peace is all we want

Things are falling apart, seems the center cannot hold again.
State of emergency should be declared now.
All Nigerians need to come together now to fight a common enemy else we may all be consumed.
Tinubu needs our support now than before.



Tinubu, a bad man with good intentions.

Christian clerics and the true representatives of the communities of the masses being massacred should be amongst the people in the meeting. We reject the meeting filled with Fulani representatives and Muslims. It will never reflect the realities on the ground. Up till now, there's no sign that the president is doing anything meaningful to save the people.

Like someone rightly said above , ribadu has gone to submit names of terorists sponsors in the north .

He has gone to sign a document acknowledging Christian genocide after denying it. Lol

Nice one.

USA should come in and support Nigeria military. Flush all the terrorists out, weaken their supply and base, and let Nigeria army mop the rest.

Trump will need $$ assurance, that guy don’t do nothing for free.

Biafrannuke:
He has gone to sign a document acknowledging Christian genocide after denying it. Lol

Oya, say cheese

They should drill him there and if he fumbles…make they hold am

We dey dia.

E go shock una.

MNK will be free..

Why GUMI escaped to Turkey...but Omotosho and their SW propaganda nation are mocking and jailing a man that asked for referendum.

We dey dia live..

RONU-bandits can NEVER go free and history can't be reversed.

All actors are known, plus their barren sponsor that is a known bigot, that hates IGBOs with a passion.

Abike Dabiri has withdrawn, but she hasn't been served. Na Small Time.

While i have my reservatios about this move, if it is true, it seems some people are about to smell pepper.

Nigeria is like GTA, every one is just roaming about

Dis sack of me*t should deported asap, no Nigerian delegate or watever should be taken seriously over der...
They are all liars and propaganda peddlers

I support our government's effort to counter false narratives about a genocide. However, I think we have done enough. It now appears we are grovelling at USA's feet. We don't owe them any explanation. If U.S. officials are actually interested in the truth and not playing reckless games, they should come to Nigeria. We are a sovereign country and must act like one. Trump has no right to issue those illegal threats. We should prioritise our problems at home and shun external validation.

BondRiv:
I support our government's effort to counter false narratives about a genocide. However, I think we have done enough. It now appears we are grovelling at USA's feet. We don't owe them any explanation. If U.S. officials are actually interested in the truth and not playing reckless games, they should come to Nigeria. We are a sovereign country and must act like one. Trump has no right to issue those illegal threats and we should prioritise our problems at home and shun external validation.

Okay

Chose between US troop and the terrorist

Ttalk:
Okay

Chose between US troop and the terrorist

Are we in the U.S.? Maybe you are. I'm in Nigeria. We have our troops.

Ttalk:
Ribadu don go submit the name of terrorist and their sponsors, their days are numbered.

All those crying that Trump should not send troops to Nigeria should be ready to cry more.

Trump is here

Tinubu should better open a direct communication channel with Trump, Relying on sycophants like Tugur will not bring any tangible result as those ones are just there to protect the northern interest in the government and not for the good of the generality of Nigerians.

It is worrisome that the North who protested with Russia flag suddenly developed cold feet at the mentioned of the US.

Same people that Buhari channelled all foreign aids to suddenly remember sovereignty when same foreign countries wanted to destroy their army of terrorist.

The worst set of people in all these are the Southerners who have taken it as duty by spreading the northern propaganda.

So, you are insinuating that Tinubu and Ribadu know those behind the terrorism but can't do anything about it. They had to travel all the way to the U.S to submit the names to Trump. Why then do you ferociously fight against Trump intervening? I thought you said Nigeria is a sovereign country? Do you think Tinubu should step aside so that Trump can handle the country for a little while?

The session reportedly focused on strengthening intelligence sharing, expanding joint training for Nigerian forces.....

.
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Ribadu, according to officials briefed on the meeting, highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to dismantle insurgent and criminal networks across the North East and North West, and emphasised that collaborative counterterrorism efforts—not unilateral foreign intervention—remain the most effective path.

None of this will work as long as there are bad eggs within the military and political heirachy. Until the bad actors are rooted out, Nigeria will only run in circles in the fight against terrorism.

Replace Nuhu Ribadu with Buba Marwa and see all this rubbish go away

LagosOrigin:
Like someone rightly said above , ribadu has gone to submit names of terorists sponsors in the north .

He won't submit names, rather he will be given a list. That's how USA do,

Are you for us or with the terrorist

Are you for us or against us

Those are the questions George Bush asked President Ali Saleh of Yemen.

American government is good at the game 📌💯

ZACHIE:
Replace Nuhu Ribadu with Buba Marwa and see all this rubbish go away

The issue is, is Tinubu willing to face his fears

Ttalk:
Ribadu don go submit the name of terrorist and their sponsors, their days are numbered.

All those crying that Trump should not send troops to Nigeria should be ready to cry more.

Trump is here

Tinubu should better open a direct communication channel with Trump, Relying on sycophants like Tugur will not bring any tangible result as those ones are just there to protect the northern interest in the government and not for the good of the generality of Nigerians.

It is worrisome that the North who protested with Russia flag suddenly developed cold feet at the mentioned of the US.

Same people that Buhari channelled all foreign aids to suddenly remember sovereignty when same foreign countries wanted to destroy their army of terrorist.

The worst set of people in all these are the Southerners who have taken it as duty by spreading the northern propaganda.

America will give him a list of people to arrest and prosecute, if you fall, they act.
All middle east countries are treated same way 📌💯. The federal government will have to declare zero support for terrorism 👌.

Ribadu went to lie as usual.

Ttalk:
Ribadu don go submit the name of terrorist and their sponsors, their days are numbered.

All those crying that Trump should not send troops to Nigeria should be ready to cry more.

Trump is here

Tinubu should better open a direct communication channel with Trump, Relying on sycophants like Tugur will not bring any tangible result as those ones are just there to protect the northern interest in the government and not for the good of the generality of Nigerians.

It is worrisome that the North who protested with Russia flag suddenly developed cold feet at the mentioned of the US.

Same people that Buhari channelled all foreign aids to suddenly remember sovereignty when same foreign countries wanted to destroy their army of terrorist.

The worst set of people in all these are the Southerners who have taken it as duty by spreading the northern propaganda.

So you get sense like this?

Stop swinging like a pendulum

Ribadu is incompetent and willful refusing to advice his incompetent principal rightly

Oluwabash:
In Closed-Door Session, Ribadu Meets Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary at Pentagon

an engagement seen as crucial in stabilising U.S.–Nigeria security cooperation following former President Donald Trump’s recent threats to deploy American troops to Nigeria.

.

The man is the president of the USA for Christ sake. What with all this former stunt sef

otipoju:
I have big reservations about this.

I need to go check Ribadus past statements

It will end in disappointment