France’s President Emmanuel Macron has called on the international community to rally behind Nigeria in its escalating battle against terrorism, warning that global partners cannot afford to be passive bystanders as deadly attacks surge across the country.
Macron issued the call in a message posted on X on Sunday, revealing that he had spoken with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reaffirm France’s commitment to assisting Nigeria in confronting widespread insecurity — particularly the growing terrorist threat across the northern region.
The appeal comes as Nigeria intensifies diplomatic engagement with global powers. On Sunday, National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu hosted a visiting delegation from the United States Congress in Abuja, barely a week after he led a Nigerian delegation to Washington to counter allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria made by former US President Donald Trump.
Recent weeks have witnessed fresh waves of violence, including mass killings and abductions of worshippers in Eruku (Kwara State) and Igbaji (Kogi State), as well as the kidnapping of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states. Security analysts warn that terror groups appear emboldened, expanding operations deeper into rural communities.
President Macron said France will strengthen its partnership with Nigeria and increase support for vulnerable communities impacted by violence, stressing that global cooperation is essential to reversing the current trend.
“I spoke with President Tinubu of Nigeria, @officialABAT. I conveyed France’s solidarity in the face of the various security challenges, particularly the terrorist threat in the North,” Macron wrote.
“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement. No one can remain a spectator.”
Macron said France would deepen collaboration with Nigerian security institutions and scale up humanitarian and stabilization assistance in high-risk regions.
Meanwhile, NSA Nuhu Ribadu received a US Congressional delegation in Abuja on Sunday as part of ongoing efforts to reinforce bilateral security cooperation.
The delegation, comprising Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, Norma Torres, Scott Franklin, Juan Ciscomani and Riley M. Moore, was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills.
Ribadu said the visit formed part of a broader fact-finding mission following earlier discussions in Washington centred on counter-terrorism, intelligence-sharing, and regional stability.
“This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities,” Ribadu wrote on X.
He added that talks focused on deepening counter-terrorism collaboration, strengthening regional security coordination, and exploring new pathways to reinforce the long-standing strategic partnership between Abuja and Washington.
“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration and our shared commitment to peace and security,” the NSA said.
With France, the US and other partners stepping up their involvement, Nigeria’s security diplomacy appears to be gaining momentum, even as citizens continue to demand swift and decisive action to halt the persistent cycle of terror attacks.