Terrorism: U.S. Mounts Pressure on Nigeria as AFRICOM Expands Footprint in Ghana

The United States has stepped up diplomatic and security pressure on Nigeria following a strongly worded report submitted to President Donald Trump by two U.S. congressional committees.

At the same time, Washington is deepening military cooperation with Ghana, a move seen as strengthening its operational presence in West Africa amid growing security concerns in the region.

In a joint submission to the White House, the U.S. House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs described Nigeria as one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians and urged the Trump administration to impose targeted sanctions, restrict visas, withhold certain security assistance and renegotiate aspects of bilateral security cooperation with Abuja.

The report followed hearings, bipartisan fact-finding visits and consultations with U.S. officials. Lawmakers recommended invoking Country of Particular Concern directives, expanding visa curbs and tying U.S. funding to measurable progress in curbing religious violence. They warned that persistent extremist attacks in Nigeria could destabilise West Africa and threaten American national security interests.

The congressional action coincided with heightened U.S. military engagement in Ghana. Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama met with the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), U.S. Air Force General Dagvin Anderson, in Accra to discuss expanded defence cooperation and joint maritime operations.

Anderson said AFRICOM has observed a significant shift of extremist networks into the Sahel and wider West African subregion, noting that ungoverned spaces have provided safe havens for such groups.

“No one nation can tackle this threat alone,” he said, stressing the need for coordinated regional and international responses.

Discussions in Accra reportedly covered a proposed bilateral agreement on joint maritime patrols to combat piracy and illegal fishing, as well as broader logistics and security collaboration between AFRICOM and the Ghana Armed Forces.

Ghana has in recent years strengthened defence ties with the U.S., hosting major exercises such as African Lion and partnering with U.S. military units on medical readiness and joint drills. Officials say the latest engagement underscores Washington’s efforts to consolidate alliances in West Africa amid rising insecurity in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea.

Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers also called for implementation of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security and State Department appropriations legislation, which would withhold certain funding to Nigeria pending verifiable action to halt attacks on Christian communities.

The report further recommended repeal of Sharia codes and anti-blasphemy laws, arguing that they contribute to systemic discrimination. It also proposed measures to compel armed herders to disarm and suggested possible trade-related restrictions linked to cattle exports.

Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Tom Cole, said the focus of the report was to defend lives and uphold religious liberty. Similarly, Mario Díaz-Balart, Chairman of the relevant subcommittee, said lawmakers were determined to ensure accountability for violence against vulnerable communities.

Federal Government Rejects Allegations

In response, the Federal Government denied claims of state-backed religious persecution and dismissed allegations that ransom was paid or militant commanders released to secure the freedom of abducted schoolchildren.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria’s security challenges stem from terrorism, organised crime and longstanding communal tensions—not government policy or religious bias.

“Nigeria does not have, and has never had, a state policy of religious persecution,” he said, noting that the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all citizens.

Idris outlined steps taken by government, including intensified military operations, enhanced intelligence-sharing, deployment of specially trained forest guards and improved inter-agency coordination.

He described claims that ransom was paid for the release of pupils from St. Mary’s Boarding School in Niger State as “false and baseless,” adding that relevant security agencies and the National Assembly had publicly refuted the allegations.

The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to its strategic partnership with the United States, saying Abuja remains open to constructive dialogue rooted in mutual respect and sovereignty.

Opposition Parties Demand Probe

However, opposition parties—the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—have called for an investigation into reports alleging ransom payments in connection with recent abductions.

The PDP described the allegations as troubling and warned that any confirmation of ransom payments would contravene anti-terrorism laws and embolden criminal groups. It cited data suggesting that billions of naira were paid as ransom over the past year and urged the government to clarify its position.

Similarly, the ADC demanded a categorical explanation over claims that large sums and the release of detainees were involved in securing the freedom of abducted pupils. The party warned that any such action would undermine Nigeria’s counter-terrorism framework.

CAN Warns Against Repealing Sharia

Reacting to U.S. recommendations on Sharia and anti-blasphemy laws, a senior official of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) cautioned that repealing such provisions could heighten religious tensions.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the issue is highly sensitive and should be handled with care. Instead of scrapping Sharia, CAN is advocating a new, people-driven constitution that better reflects Nigeria’s religious and ethnic diversity.

He noted that discussions within the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) revealed strong views among Muslim leaders that Sharia forms part of their cultural and religious identity.

Kano Assembly Seeks Response on Kwankwaso

In Kano, the State House of Assembly urged the state government to formally respond to allegations reportedly made in the U.S. against former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, including claims linking him to terrorism and proposals to freeze his assets.

Lawmakers described Kwankwaso as a unifying leader who promoted education, infrastructure and peace during his tenure. The Assembly unanimously adopted a motion calling on the state government to address the matter.

Insecurity a Governance Failure, Says Ex-Army Chief

Meanwhile, retired Major General Ishola Williams, a former Commandant of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command, argued that Nigeria’s insecurity is fundamentally a public safety crisis rooted in governance failures, corruption and institutional weakness.

Speaking on a radio programme, he said the country does not face external aggression but internal breakdowns in public safety management.

According to him, banditry, kidnapping and organised crime should be treated as internal security challenges requiring institutional reform rather than framed solely as terrorism.

As diplomatic tensions rise and security cooperation shifts across the region, Nigeria faces mounting international scrutiny while grappling with persistent domestic insecurity challenges.