The Federal Government said yesterday that its security collaboration with the United States(US) has strengthened counter-terrorism operations, especially in the Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral.
The government reiterated its commitment to strengthening cooperation to better protect lives and property across the country.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris stated that Nigeria was delighted that the security tie respects ‘’our country’s’’ sovereignty and prioritises accountability and civilian protection.
Ribadu and Idris spoke at the plenary session of the Nigeria – U.S. Joint Working Group to address the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation of the country at the NSA Office in Abuja. The U.S. team was led by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.
Ribadu said the engagement marked the third high-level interaction with senior U.S. officials since November last year, and reflected a relationship “grounded in trust, candour and shared responsibility.”
He reaffirmed the security partnership between the two countries, pledging closer ties to curb terrorism, protect civilians and strengthen accountability across conflict-affected areas.
Ribadu said Nigeria approached the talks “as a partner, committed to practical outcomes,” describing the platform as one focused on problem-solving rather than compliance.
“These engagements have moved decisively beyond dialogue to action,” the NSA stated.
According to him, enhanced intelligence sharing and closer coordination between the U.S. military and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters resulted in the successes so far recorded by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast and Northwest as well as Operation FASAN YAMMA in the Northcentral.
Ribadu added that recent operations had led to the killing of hundreds of terrorists, the destruction of their logistics hubs and the interception of key collaborators.
The NSA hailed U.S. commitments to the timely delivery of military equipment, including drones and helicopters, noting that the cooperation respected Nigeria’s sovereignty and prioritised accountability.
He said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had declared security emergencies in vulnerable areas, authorised intensified joint operations and directed sustained deployments to communities facing repeated attacks.
Ribadu added that Nigeria was expanding early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms and developing a national database to provide verified data on deaths and casualties arising from violence.
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens—Christians, Muslims and those of other beliefs—is non-negotiable,” Ribadu said.
“Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself.”
Information Minister Idris said in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu, that the engagement was part of sustained efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security partnerships and deliver tangible results for citizens.
The minister said: “ It(engagement) 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.
“Cooperation between Nigeria and the U.S. has led to real operational gains.
“Our military and security agencies are working closely with U.S. partners through intelligence sharing and operational coordination.”
Idris added that the U.S. had committed to the timely delivery of outstanding military equipment, including spare parts and support systems procured over the past five years.
“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,” he said.
On domestic security measures, the minister recalled that President Tinubu had formally declared national security emergencies in vulnerable and high-risk areas.
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According to him, the President also authorised intensified joint operations and directed the sustained deployment of security forces to priority locations.
He added: “Nigeria is acting decisively. Security agencies have clear instructions to protect communities and respond swiftly to threats.
“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. Justice remains a key pillar of the government’s security strategy.
“The Ministry of Justice, the DSS(Department of State Services), 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 added.
The minister urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive as the security reforms continue.
“Our responsibility is to keep Nigerians informed and reassured. The work being done today is to ensure a safer country tomorrow,” Idris said
U.S Under Secretary of State Hooker said Washington remained committed to broadening cooperation with Nigeria to protect vulnerable communities and counter terrorism.
She said since President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a CPC last October, both countries had made progress, including the recruitment of additional police officers, arrests and prosecutions linked to mass killings, and the rescue of abducted persons.
“We appreciate Nigeria’s close cooperation with us on degrading terrorist capabilities,” Hooker said, adding that recent airstrikes were closely coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
However, she expressed concern over fresh reports of abductions in parts of Kaduna State and urged continued efforts to protect religious communities and hold perpetrators accountable.
She said advancing religious freedom and security would strengthen broader cooperation in trade, health and regional stability, while helping to disrupt terrorist financing and arms flows.
Both sides said the Working Group would focus on outcomes, sustained cooperation and measures to reduce killings, abductions and displacement, as Nigeria and the US work to “turn the tide on insecurity and terrorism.”
*How U.S. intelligence is helping us to weaken terrorists, by Theatre commander
Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar said the military is leveraging on Nigeria’s partnership with the US to strengthen operations against Boko Haram and its splinter groups.
Gen. Abubakar told Defence reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State, that ‘’shared significant intelligence’’ by the US was helping troops to neutralise more terrorists.
He said: ‘’We are leveraging our current partnership with the US. It is based on credible and invaluable intelligence that we are working to bring this battle to a favourable conclusion in the shortest possible time.
“We get high-level intelligence, which has actually added impetus to the conduct of our operations. I am sure in the media space, you read that 40 terrorists have been taken out. This is because a lot of airstrikes and ground operations are going on in the hinterland, in the Sambisa Forest and the entire Timbuktu Triangle.”
Gen. Abubakar added that marching orders given to troops to launch intensive kinetic operations led to the killing of 54 key Boko Haram leaders, including Abu Fatima, who had a N100 million bounty on his head.
The Theatre Commander added: “We are seriously involved in what we call terrorist leaders’ decapitation operations
“What this means is that we try to attack the command and control system of the adversary. We try to take out the key leaders. This will further weaken the decision-making circle of the terrorists over time because once the leadership is affected, the whole structure is almost gone. That is why intelligence is very important.”
Gen. Abubakar said last year alone, 16,000 Boko Haram suspects, along with their families, surrendered as a result of the sustained pressure mounted by the troops.
The theatre commander said the major challenge faced by troops is the presence of collaborators, who facilitate the terrorists’ supply of logistics.
