By MONDAY IJEH

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu said the US-Nigeria military and security cooperation has translated into tangible operational gains.

Ribadu said this on Thursday in Abuja at the inauguration of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group.

“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.

The NSA said the engagements had moved decisively beyond dialogue to action and had supported improved target identification and operational fidelity.

He said the engagements had 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 had 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 had 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.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the current engagement represented the third high-level engagement by senior U.S. government leadership since Nigeria’s delegation visit in November 2025.

He said the bilateral engagement was a reflection of not only a shared commitment to religious freedom and civilian protection, but also a mature strategic relationship grounded in trust, candour, and shared responsibility.

According to him, we want Nigerians to know that this partnership is working and yielding tangible gains, and to please bear with us.

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, prioritizing 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 Dec. 25 airstrikes were closely coordinated with Nigeria and we will continue to work with them to defeat these heinous groups,” she said. (NAN)

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