US Congress urges Nigeria to replace Russian arms with American defence systems

THE United States Congress has urged Nigeria to phase out its Russian-made military hardware and acquire American defence equipment instead, tying the proposal to efforts aimed at strengthening bilateral security ties and addressing violence affecting Christian communities and other vulnerable populations.

The position was outlined in a congressional document entitled ‘Ending The Persecution of Christians in Nigeria,’ which detailed a range of security, diplomatic and economic steps proposed by US lawmakers after reviewing incidents of religious violence and insecurity across parts of the country.

In the statement, shared on X by US Representative Riley Moore, lawmakers called on Nigeria to “continue and expand security cooperation with the United States,” specifically recommending a shift from Russian military assets to American systems through sales and financing arrangements.

The move underscores Washington’s intention to scale back Abuja’s defence relationship with Moscow while bolstering US strategic influence in Africa’s most populous nation.

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Beyond defence procurement, U.S. lawmakers raised concerns about alleged illegal mining operations involving Chinese nationals, claiming such activities help bankroll armed groups. The statement called for action to “counteract the hostile foreign exploitation of Chinese illegal mining operations” and accused those involved of paying protection fees to Fulani militias.

The U.S. lawmakers also proposed economic and agricultural measures designed to pressure armed actors. Among the suggestions was a review of livestock exports, with a recommendation to use trade leverage, including blocking beef and cattle-related exports to countries such as Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa and Senegal, as a means of compelling Fulani herdsmen to disarm.

According to Congress, the recommendations form part of a wider security blueprint intended to help Nigeria tackle armed groups and restore peace, particularly in the Middle Belt and parts of the North.

The document further proposed technical assistance to support the development of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes aimed at curbing illicit weapons and promoting safer communities. Lawmakers also advocated improved recruitment, training and operational capacity within Nigeria’s security forces.

Additionally, Congress called for deeper counterterrorism collaboration, including the provision of excess US defence equipment and the use of relevant drawdown authorities to support Nigerian authorities in confronting foreign terrorist organisations operating in the region.