A coalition of civil society organisations under the Middle-Belt Pan Nigerian Forum has commended President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Nigeria’s security agencies following United States praise for the country’s response to recent attacks in the Middle Belt.

The coalition said the US acknowledgement was encouraging but urged security agencies to sustain operations against armed groups, warning that the security challenges facing communities across the country remained unresolved.

Convener of the forum, Dr Danladi Ceceko Dangana, made the remarks in a statement issued by the coalition.

His comments followed a recent statement by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs commending Nigeria’s response to attacks in the Middle Belt and calling for continued protection of communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The US Bureau of African Affairs said it would continue working with the Nigerian government to protect Christian communities in the region.

It also urged Nigerian authorities to maintain the momentum of their security response and pay particular attention to communities in Barkin Ladi.

The US statement followed renewed security concerns in Plateau State, where communities in Barkin Ladi and surrounding areas have faced recurring attacks.

Reacting, the Middle-Belt Pan Nigerian Forum said Washington’s acknowledgement should encourage the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable communities.

The coalition credited the Tinubu administration and security agencies with taking steps to address the violence, while arguing that further action remained necessary.

Dangana cautioned against interpreting the US statement as evidence that Nigeria’s wider security challenges had been resolved.

“This commendation is welcome, but it is not a certificate of completion,” he said.

“More work remains if every part of Nigeria is to be safe, and if every person, regardless of religion or ethnicity, is to live and work anywhere in this country without the fear of being attacked or killed by terrorists.”

He called on the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to sustain operations against armed groups involved in terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.

The forum also commended Ribadu, citing what it described as efforts by the Office of the National Security Adviser to improve coordination among Nigeria’s security agencies.

It further credited the NSA’s diplomatic engagement with the United States, arguing that communication between Abuja and Washington remained important amid American concerns about attacks on Christian communities in parts of Nigeria.

The coalition’s assessment of Ribadu’s role represents its evaluation of the government’s security response.

It said sustained cooperation between Nigeria and international partners could contribute to efforts to improve security, particularly in communities affected by recurring violence.

The forum maintained that protecting Nigerians irrespective of religion or ethnicity should remain the central objective of the country’s security strategy.

Dangana said the organisation would continue to engage the Office of the National Security Adviser and security agencies on efforts to address insecurity in the Middle Belt.

The US Bureau of African Affairs had specifically described Nigeria’s response to the latest attacks as strong, while urging the government not to relent.

Washington’s statement also explicitly referred to attacks by “Fulani militant groups” and the protection of Christians in the Middle Belt.

The terminology is significant in a region where violence has involved complex and overlapping security challenges, including attacks on farming communities, armed groups, communal conflicts and criminal activity.

The coalition said the US acknowledgement should therefore be viewed as encouragement for further action rather than a declaration that the security situation had been resolved.

Dangana urged security agencies to maintain pressure on armed groups while strengthening protection for communities vulnerable to attacks.

For the coalition, he said, the ultimate measure of progress would be the ability of Nigerians to live and work across the country without fear of attack, irrespective of their religious or ethnic background.