By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The strategic partnership between Nigeria and the United States has significantly degraded the operational capability of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other terrorist groups, the Defence Headquarters said on Tuesday.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, stated this in an X Spaces engagement on strengthening security through strategic information sharing on the Nigeria-U.S. military partnership against terrorism.

Uba said the collaboration had enhanced intelligence sharing, capacity building, strategic communication, logistics support and operational effectiveness in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations.

According to him, terrorism remains a transnational threat that requires intelligence cooperation, technological innovation, strategic communication and strong partnerships to defeat.

He said recent collaborative efforts had contributed to intelligence-driven operations that disrupted terrorist networks and destroyed terrorist enclaves and logistics infrastructure.

The defence spokesman added that the partnership had also enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and improved the operational readiness of Nigerian troops through specialised training programmes.

Uba expressed appreciation to the U.S. Government and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) for their support in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for providing the Armed Forces of Nigeria with platforms, equipment and resources required to prosecute ongoing operations.

The Director of Public Affairs, AFRICOM, Col. Rebecca Heyse, similarly said that the joint counter-terrorism operations conducted by Nigerian and U.S. forces had significantly weakened ISIS activities in the region.

Heyse said the operations, which commenced on May 16, were based on months of deliberate planning and intelligence sharing between both countries.

She disclosed that the operations led to the elimination of ISIS global second-in-command, Abu Bilal al-Minuki, alongside several key operational and media leaders.

According to her, more than 200 ISIS fighters were eliminated during the operations, while terrorist checkpoints, weapons caches, logistics hubs and training sites were destroyed.

She said the operations also disrupted financial networks and media structures that supported terrorist activities across Nigeria.

Heyse attributed the success of the operations to close collaboration between Nigerian and U.S. military forces as well as intelligence support provided by relevant agencies.

She said the cooperation was rooted in respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and demonstrated the effectiveness of strong international partnerships against terrorism.

The AFRICOM spokesperson commended the professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to continued collaboration in addressing security challenges.

Both officials emphasised the importance of strategic information sharing, intelligence cooperation and public engagement in sustaining gains recorded against terrorism and promoting regional stability. (NAN)

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