US lawmakers ask Nigeria to sever military partnership with Russia

Trump and Tinubu

United States lawmakers have proposed a bilateral agreement between the US and Nigeria to “protect vulnerable Christian communities from violent persecution”.

The proposal also seeks to eliminate jihadist terror activity as part of protection efforts but would also “further economic cooperation, and counter adversaries in the region”, a report by the lawmakers reads.

The Chinese Communist Party and Russian Federation were named as such adversaries.

The joint report was prepared by the house committees on appropriations and foreign affairs in the wake of President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a country of particular concern (CPC).

Trump’s decision was in response to allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria despite repeated rebuttals from the federal government.

“The United States and Nigeria should take this moment to redefine a new strategic partnership to make America — and Nigeria — safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” the report released Monday said.

DIVESTMENT OF RUSSIAN MILITARY EQUIPMENT

Lawmakers also proposed a continued and expanded security cooperation “including by divestment of Russian military equipment for American military equipment through sales and financing”.

Nigeria has a long-standing military partnership with Russia.

In 2021, Bashir Magashi, then-minister of defence, signed a cooperation agreement with Russia on behalf of the federal government, which provided a legal framework for the supply of military equipment, provision of after sales services, training of personnel in educational establishments and technology transfer, among others.