By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria has declared that partnership recently entered into with the United States of America (USA) on security is yielding tangible gains.
In his opening remarks during the inauguration of US-Nigeria Joint Working Group on Thursday in Abuja, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, made this known as he expressed government’s appreciation for the depth, quality, and impact of U.S.- Nigeria military and security cooperation.
“I would like to place firmly on record Nigeria’s appreciation for the depth, quality and impact of U.S.-Nigeria military and security cooperation.
“Since the November 2025 engagements, this cooperation has translated into tangible operational gains. Enhanced intelligence sharing, closer coordination between U.S. AFRICOM and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, and sustained engagement across our security institutions have materially strengthened our counter-terrorism posture and situational awareness across multiple theatres of operation, particularly in the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, as well as in the North West and Central under Operation FASAN YAMMA.
“These engagements have moved decisively beyond dialogue to action. They have supported improved target identification and operational fidelity, strengthened joint planning, and enabled more effective disruption of terrorist networks and transnational criminal elements.
“These efforts have resulted in the neutralisation of several hundreds of terrorists, the destruction of logistics hubs, and the interception of key facilitators and logisticians.
“We also welcome the U.S commitment to timely delivery of outstanding articles of war such as drones, helicopters, Platforms, spare parts, and associated support systems procured over the past five years as well as its readiness to support Nigeria through the provision of surplus defence equipment.
“Importantly, this cooperation has been conducted with respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty, within agreed frameworks, and with a clear emphasis on joint operations, accountability and the protection of civilians.
“At the national level, and under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria has taken deliberate and decisive steps to confront insecurity.
“The President has formally declared national security emergencies in vulnerable and high-risk areas, authorised intensified joint operations, and directed the sustained deployment of security forces to priority locations, particularly those communities experiencing recurrent attacks on civilians and religious groups.
“These directives have been matched with concrete action. Nigeria is expanding early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms, developing a national database to serve as a single, authoritative source of accurate and verifiable data on deaths and casualties arising from violence.
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens: Christians, Muslims, and those of other beliefs, is non-negotiable. Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself.
“Our response therefore integrates security operations, rule of law, humanitarian safeguards and strategic communication, ensuring that operational successes translate into public confidence and strengthened social cohesion. We want Nigerians to know that this partnership is working, that it is delivering tangible gains, and that our collective efforts will continue to yield positive gains.”
He finally appreciated President Donald Trump for his steadfast and unalloyed support for Nigeria, as well as to his dedicated appointees whose leadership has been instrumental in advancing our partnership-Secretary Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and the Chargé d’Affaires, Keith Heffern.
And to the leadership and members of the two Congressional delegations, including Representatives Mario Rafael Diaz-BALART and Bill HUIZENGA, for taking the pain to visit Nigeria on a fact-finding mission, as well as Senator Ted Cruz, Representatives Riley Moore, Brian Mast, Christopher Smith, Sara Jacobs and Jonathan Jackson, Paula White- Caine and Andrew Baker for opening their doors to the Nigerian team during the November 2025 High-Level visit to Washington D.C.
Speaking, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris who colloborated the NSA’s submission said, “This bilateral reflects not only our shared commitment to religious freedom and civilian protection, but also a mature strategic relationship grounded in trust, candour, and shared responsibility.
“The partnership has been useful with U.S.–Nigeria cooperating both militarily, intelligence, and security.
“This cooperation has translated into tangible operational gains – enhanced intelligence sharing, closer coordination between U.S. AFRICOM and Nigeria’s Military, across multiple theatres of operation in the North East under Operation Hadin Kai, as well as Operation Fasan Yamma.”
According to him, the U.S has also committed to timely delivery of outstanding military equipment such as drones, helicopters, Platforms, spare parts, and associated support systems procured over the past five years and has indicated its readiness to support Nigeria through the provision of surplus defence equipment.
“We want Nigerians to know that this partnership is working and yielding tangible gains, and to please bear with us, our efforts are and will yield positive gains,” he said.
He stressed that Nigeria is also working to strengthen early warning and development of a national database to provide a single, authoritative source of accurate and verifiable figures on deaths and casualties arising from violence, as well as evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and effective security responses.
On their own part, US’ Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker also admitted that the partnership between Nigeria and the US with regards to protecting innocent citizens from violent attacks across the country is working, highlighting the successes recorded so far, as he expressed the readiness of her country to continue and even deepen the cooperation with Nigeria.
But she frowned at the most recent incident of gunmen kidnapping scores of Christian worshippers in Kaduna State saying, “However, we are concerned about recent reports that gunmen kidnapped more than 170 Christians in Kaduna state on January 18. The government of Nigeria must do more to protect Christians and their right to practice their faith freely and safely.”
She recalled that on October 31, 2025, President Trump designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, and since that day, “our two countries have made tremendous strides together in our partnership to better protect vulnerable communities here in Nigeria. I am here today to continue and broaden that partnership”.
Speaking further, she said, “The United States partnership with Nigeria is built on shared interests in many areas, including trade and investment, security, energy, regional security, and much more.
“Today, we are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities; prioritising countering terrorism and insecurity; investigating attacks and holding perpetrators accountable; and reducing the number of killings, forced displacements, and abductions of Christians, particularly in the North-central states.