Nigeria Taps Ex-Intel Chief as US Envoy as Tensions Rise

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu named a former intelligence chief as his top envoy to the US, seeking to ease tensions after 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 US, 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.