Nigerian authorities announced on Monday that they would strengthen their security cooperation with Washington and again denied any targeted persecution of Christians, following bilateral meetings in Washington.

The federal delegation, led by National Security Advisor Mallam Nuhu Ribad, was received last week by senior officials from the U.S. Congress, the White House Office of Religious Affairs, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the War Department, just days after former President Donald Trump threatened military intervention in Nigeria, citing "massacres of Christians."

"Following these discussions, the US government confirmed its willingness to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria," said Bayo Onanuga, special advisor to the president, in a statement.

He specified that this will include increased intelligence support, accelerated processing of military equipment requests, and the possible provision of surplus equipment to bolster operations against "terrorists and violent extremist groups."

Abuja claims to have used these discussions to "refute allegations of genocide" against Christians, reiterating that the violence affects "families and communities regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliation." The government warns against "any misrepresentation of the situation that could further divide Nigerians."

On Friday, the U.S. War Department indicated that the two sides had discussed ways to "end violence against Christians" and strengthen the fight against "jihadist groups in West Africa." Washington also called on Abuja to "demonstrate its commitment" through "urgent and sustained" measures.

In the United States, accusations of targeted persecution are regularly relayed by conservative elected officials and Christian organizations, allegations that Nigeria has always rejected.

The country, which has about 230 million inhabitants, is almost equally divided between a Muslim-majority north and a predominantly Christian south.

Nigeria continues to face chronic insecurity.

In the northeast, the jihadist insurgency of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced more than two million people.

In the northwest and central regions, criminal groups known as "bandits" are increasing their attacks, kidnappings, and looting.

The country has recently been under intense pressure following the abduction, in less than a week, of 350 people, including more than 300 students and teachers — in two schools, including a Catholic institution — as well as members of a church.