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From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and restoring security across the country.
Government stated this, following a plenary session of the Nigeria-United States Joint Working Group to address the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation of Nigeria, held at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, yesterday.
The meeting formed part of the United States–Nigeria Joint Working Group and was co-chaired by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker.
Malam Ribadu said the US-Nigeria military and security cooperation has translated into tangible operational gains.
“I would like to place firmly on record Nigeria’s appreciation for the depth, quality and impact of US-Nigeria military and security cooperation. Since the November 2025 engagements, this cooperation has translated into tangible operational gains.”
He listed some of the gains to include enhanced intelligence sharing, closer coordination between US AFRICOM and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters and sustained engagement across Nigeria security institutions.
“It has materially strengthened our counter-terrorism posture and situational awareness across multiple theatres of operation,” Ribadu said.
He noted that the engagements have moved decisively beyond dialogue to action and has supported improved target identification and operational fidelity.
He said the engagements have also strengthened joint planning, and enabled more effective disruption of terrorist networks and transnational criminal elements.
According to him, these efforts have resulted in the neutralisation of many terrorists, the destruction of logistics hubs, and the interception of key facilitators and logisticians.
He commended the US commitment to the timely delivery of outstanding articles of war such as drones, helicopters, platforms, spare parts, and associated support systems procured over the past five years.
Ribadu said the cooperation had 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.
He said the Federal Government has taken deliberate and decisive steps to confront insecurity with the formal declaration of security emergencies in vulnerable and high risk areas by President Bola Tinubu.
The NSA said the president has 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.
“This effort will strengthen evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and the effectiveness of security responses,” he said.
Ribadu said investigations and prosecutions relating to attacks on religious communities had been intensified to ensure that violence was met not only with force, but with justice and accountability.
According to him, Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens, Christians, Muslims, and those of other beliefs is non-negotiable.
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In her remark, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, said the US partnership with Nigeria was built on shared interest in investment, security, energy and regional security.
She said the focus of the meeting was to work together to deter violence against communities, prioritising countering terrorism and insecurity, investigating attacks and holding perpetrators accountable.
Hooker said the idea was to reduce the number of killings, forced displacements, and abductions in parts of the country.
“We appreciate Nigeria’s close cooperation with the US on degrading terrorists’ capabilities to perpetrate violence against communities.
“The December 25 airstrikes were closely coordinated with Nigeria and we will continue to work with them to defeat these heinous groups,” she said.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, while briefing the press, said the engagement was part of sustained efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security partnerships and deliver tangible results for citizens.
“This is the third high-level engagement with senior United States officials since November 2025. It shows that our partnership is active, serious, and focused on outcomes that matter to Nigerians.
“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 said. Idris further said the cooperation between Nigeria and the United States has led to real operational gains.
“Our military and security agencies are working closely with U.S. partners through intelligence sharing and operational coordination, and have strengthened ongoing operations, including Operation Hadin Kai in the North East and Operation Fasan Yamma.”
Idris added that the United States has committed to the timely delivery of outstanding military equipment, including drones, helicopters, platforms, spare parts, and support systems procured over the past five years, and is also ready to provide surplus defence equipment to Nigeria. “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 Minister stated.
On domestic security measures, the Minister recalled that President Bola Tinubu had 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.
“Nigeria is acting decisively. Security agencies have clear instructions to protect communities and respond swiftly to threats.”
The Minister also disclosed that the Federal Government is strengthening early-warning systems and developing a national database to provide accurate and verifiable figures on deaths and casualties linked to violence.
“This will give us a single, trusted source of data to guide decisions, improve accountability, and sharpen our security response,” he explained.
He further noted that justice remains a key pillar of the government’s security strategy.
“The Ministry of Justice, the DSS, and the Nigeria Police Force are actively investigating and prosecuting terrorism cases. Violence will not only be met with force, but with justice and accountability.”
The Minister urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive as security reforms continue. “Our responsibility is to keep Nigerians informed and reassured. The work being done today is to ensure a safer country tomorrow,” he added.
The Nigeria – United States Joint Working Group plenary session was attended by high-level Nigeria and U.S. government officials, such as the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Defence, Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
The US delegation included Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker (Co-Chair), Department of State; Chargé d’Affaires Keith Heffern, U.S. Mission Nigeria; Assistant Secretary of State Riley Barnes, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Department of State; Deputy Commander LTG John Brennan, AFRICOM; Deputy Assistant Secretary Bryan Ellis, Department of War; Deputy Assistant Secretary Colby Jenkins, Department of War; Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Security Greg Hermsmeyer, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Department of State, among others.
