Nigerian President Bola Tinubu named a former intelligence chief as his top envoy to the U.S. seeking to ease tensions after President Donald Trump warned of possible military action over claims that Christians are being systematically killed by Islamist militants in the West African nation.

Ayodele Oke, a former director-general of Nigeria’s National Intelligence Agency, was nominated as ambassador to the U.S., alongside retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are to the UK and Amin Mohammed Dalhatu to France, the presidency said in a statement on Thursday. “The postings will be finalized following Senate screening,” it said.

The president also named the members of the Nigerian side of a U.S.-Nigeria working group, to deepen collaboration on security, according to an emailed statement.

The Niger

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