Nigeria has reinforced its security partnership with the United States, aiming to protect lives, safeguard religious freedom, and restore security across the country.
The development follows a plenary session of the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group on Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” held at the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.
The meeting, co-chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, focused on counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability, and strengthening the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the US.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, in a statement on Thursday, highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying, “This bilateral partnership 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.”
Idris noted that collaboration between both countries has yielded operational gains, including intelligence sharing and operational coordination, strengthening ongoing operations like Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Fasan Yamma.
The US has committed to delivering outstanding military equipment, including drones, helicopters, and spare parts, and providing surplus defence equipment to support Nigeria’s security efforts.
Idris assured Nigerians that the partnership is working, saying, “We want Nigerians to know that this partnership is working. These efforts are not abstract. They are yielding results, and they will continue to do so”.
The Federal Government has declared national security emergencies in vulnerable areas, authorized joint operations, and directed sustained deployment of security forces to priority locations.
Idris emphasized that justice remains central to the government’s security strategy, with terrorism cases being investigated and prosecuted.
The plenary session was attended by senior Nigerian officials, including the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu; the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite.
Others include the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi.
Members of the US delegation included the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker; the Chargé d’Affaires, Keith Heffern; the Assistant Secretary of State, Riley Barnes; the Deputy Commander, AFRICOM, Lt Gen. John Brennan; Deputy Assistant Secretaries Bryan Ellis and Colby Jenkins; and the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Security, Greg Hermsmeyer, among others.
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