Nigeria and the United States have recorded significant progress in their security partnership, with improved intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and tangible gains against terrorist and criminal networks, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has said.
Ribadu spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the inauguration of the U.S.–Nigeria Joint Working Group, where he said recent engagements between both countries had deepened collaboration between the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, as well as other security institutions.
According to him, the partnership has moved beyond policy discussions to concrete action, resulting in better joint planning, enhanced situational awareness and more precise military operations. He disclosed that the cooperation has led to the neutralisation of terrorists, destruction of logistics bases and interception of key facilitators supporting violent groups.
The NSA praised the United States for the delivery of military assets procured over the past five years, including drones, helicopters, spare parts and support platforms, noting that the assistance has strengthened Nigeria’s counter-terrorism capacity while respecting the country’s sovereignty and civilian protection frameworks.
Ribadu also said President Bola Tinubu has declared security emergencies in high-risk areas, authorised intensified joint operations and ordered sustained deployment of security forces to communities facing repeated attacks. He added that Nigeria is developing a national database on deaths and casualties linked to violence to support accountability and evidence-based security decisions.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the engagement as the third high-level interaction with senior US officials since November 2025, saying it reflects a mature partnership anchored on trust, religious freedom and civilian protection.
On her part, U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, said the partnership is driven by shared interests in security, investment and regional stability. She noted that the talks focused on reducing killings, abductions and displacement, adding that recent airstrikes against terrorist targets were closely coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
