Nigeria has intensified diplomatic efforts to persuade the United States to remove the country from its list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC), citing recent gains in the fight against terrorism and efforts to protect citizens.
A high-level Nigerian delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, presented the government’s security record to senior US officials during a meeting aimed at challenging the continued classification.
The delegation argued that Nigeria has made measurable progress in weakening terrorist groups, protecting communities and improving security across the country.
Among those who joined Ribadu were Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede and Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, alongside other senior security officials.
One of the key figures presented to the US side was a 213 per cent increase in terrorist fighters and associates surrendering to Nigerian troops in the North-East.
The Nigerian officials reportedly told their US counterparts that the sharp rise in surrenders reflected growing pressure on terrorist organisations and a decline in their ability to maintain their operations.
The delegation also highlighted military operations that have targeted terrorist hideouts, logistics networks and supply routes, arguing that the sustained pressure has weakened the groups’ ability to recruit, move fighters and replenish weapons.
The security chiefs used the engagement to outline what they described as tangible improvements under President Bola Tinubu, particularly in the military campaign against terrorist groups.
Nigeria’s appeal comes after the US designation, which was linked to concerns over what Washington described as severe and systematic violations of religious freedom.
The designation has generated diplomatic concern in Abuja, with Nigerian officials repeatedly arguing that the country’s security challenges affect citizens across religious and ethnic lines.
The latest engagement therefore sought to provide the US with what Nigerian officials consider evidence that the government is taking stronger action against violent extremist groups and protecting civilians regardless of their faith.
Military authorities have also pointed to the growing number of terrorist defections as evidence that counterterrorism operations are having an impact.
In one recent development, two senior terrorist figures reportedly surrendered to troops and handed over weapons, ammunition and other military equipment.
The military said the surrender of the fighters and recovery of their weapons demonstrated the pressure being exerted on terrorist networks.
Several other members of the groups also surrendered to troops of the 202 Battalion in Bama after sustained military operations and internal disagreements within their ranks.
According to the military, those who surrendered underwent screening, while mobile phones and other items recovered from them were taken for further investigation.
Officials said the pattern was significant because repeated surrenders could indicate declining morale and weakening cohesion within terrorist groups.
Nigeria’s security authorities maintain that the combination of ground operations, targeted attacks and disruption of terrorist supply chains is steadily reducing the groups’ freedom of movement.
The government’s diplomatic campaign had earlier included a meeting between Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and US Chargé d’Affaires David Heffern, where Nigeria made its case for reconsideration of the CPC designation.
The latest meeting in the United States represents a further push by Abuja to convince Washington that Nigeria’s security situation and response have changed significantly.
For the Nigerian government, the objective is not only to secure removal from the CPC list but also to counter international perceptions that the country is failing to protect its citizens from terrorism and religious violence.