The United States (U.S.) has reaffirmed its counterterrorism partnership with Nigeria, citing recent joint operations that dealt a major blow to the Islamic State terrorist network.
U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who made the disclosure while speaking on U.S. foreign policy and international security cooperation before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the FY27 Department of State Budget Request, also reconfirmed that American and Nigerian security agencies recently collaborated in an operation that eliminated a senior global ISIS leader operating from within Nigeria.
According to him, concerns previously expressed by some groups regarding violence affecting Christian communities in Nigeria have strengthened security engagement between both countries.
“On Nigeria, where we were all, many were very concerned about violence against Christians. We are now actively in counterterrorism cooperation with the Nigerian Government and Nigerian security forces, including a joint operation a couple of weeks ago that took out the number two leader of global ISIS operating from inside of the country, and that continues,” Rubio said.
Rubio’s remarks underscore growing security collaboration between Nigeria and the United States as both countries confront evolving terrorist threats in West Africa and the wider Sahel region.
Nigeria has remained at the forefront of counter-terrorism efforts in West Africa, confronting groups linked to Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other violent extremist networks.
The country has also consistently advocated stronger international cooperation to tackle terrorism, illicit arms flows and cross-border criminal activities affecting the region.
The latest U.S. acknowledgment comes amid renewed international focus on security challenges across the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel and parts of West Africa.
The United States and Nigeria have maintained longstanding cooperation in security, peacekeeping, economic development and democratic governance.
The remarks also reflect growing international recognition of Nigeria’s strategic importance in promoting peace, stability and counterterrorism efforts across Africa.
Written with reports from NAN
