Nigeria and US Team Up to Fight Terrorism

The Nigerian military and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) have once again shown their commitment to working together against terrorism. They are focusing on sharing intelligence, carrying out joint operations, and building capacity as the main parts of their partnership.

This commitment was discussed during an X Space event that PREMIUM TIMES monitored on Tuesday.

The partnership started a few weeks after former US President Donald Trump claimed there was a Christian genocide happening in Nigeria. He ordered airstrikes against what he called Islamic State terrorists who were targeting Christians in the North-west.

Trump also accused the Nigerian government of helping with the "genocide" because they did not stop it. The Nigerian government denied this and said armed groups were attacking people of all faiths and backgrounds.

This disagreement led to the creation of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group framework, under which 200 US troops were sent to Nigeria. Their arrival sparked debates among the public. Critics said this partnership could harm Nigeria’s independence. However, the Nigerian government disagreed.

The X Space Discussion

The X Space event was titled ‘Strengthening Security Through Strategic Information Sharing: United States and Nigerian Military Partnership Against Terrorism’. It included officials from the Nigerian military, AFRICOM, and members of the public.

AFRICOM’s Director of Public Affairs, Colonel Rebecca Heyse, answered questions about how long the partnership would last. She said US cooperation with Nigeria is based on shared interests and respect for Nigeria’s independence.

"Our operations and cooperation with Nigeria are rooted in fundamental respect for Nigerian sovereignty," she said. "We operate strictly by invitation and under the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group framework."

She added that the United States will keep supporting Nigeria as long as both countries find the partnership useful for dealing with shared security issues.

"As long as there are shared security threats and the framework continues to be of value to both countries, the United States remains committed to the partnership," she said.

But Heyse avoided questions about the US government's stance on Christian genocide.

Major General Samiala Uba, spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters, said how much the US gets involved will depend on Nigeria’s needs.

"The cooperation is at the instance of Nigeria. The skills and expertise the United States brings are things we require, and as long as we need them, we will continue to work together under the Joint Working Group framework," he said.

Joint Operations and Intelligence Sharing

During the discussion, Uba revealed that the partnership has gone beyond sharing intelligence and training. It now includes joint operations against terrorist groups.

When the US troops were sent earlier this year, Uba said they would not take part in direct combat. He explained that US soldiers would only provide technical support, including training.

However, he confirmed that Nigerian and US forces have carried out joint strikes against terrorist targets. He described this collaboration as mission-specific and aimed at improving operational effectiveness.

"We have carried out joint strikes in addition to intelligence sharing and other forms of cooperation. As long as we need those capabilities, we will keep engaging our partners," he said.

This newspaper reported that a joint operation with Nigerian and US troops killed over 20 terrorists in the North-east, including Abubakar Mainok, a top commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Participants noted that military operations seem to be more aggressive in recent months, with security forces increasingly targeting terrorist hideouts.

Heyse said the partnership has achieved important results through intelligence sharing and joint operations.

"The sharing of intelligence and information has yielded significant results. The recent effects of our operations show that we are productive partners when we work together," she said.

Building Capacity and Training

Beyond battlefield efforts, officials said the partnership has boosted the skills of Nigerian troops through specialized training programs.

Uba revealed that hundreds of Nigerian personnel are currently undergoing training in the North-east. This is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the military.

"The Armed Forces of Nigeria is benefiting immensely from this collaboration, including skills development and specialized training. There are many operational lessons we continue to learn through our interaction with the United States," he said.

A Whole-of-Society Approach

When asked about non-military strategies in fighting terrorism, Uba said military action alone cannot defeat extremism.

He mentioned that Nigeria is using a whole-of-society approach. This involves working with religious leaders, traditional institutions, civil society groups, government agencies, and economic empowerment programs to tackle the root causes of radicalization.

"Terrorism cannot be defeated by military means alone," he said. "Non-military measures such as community engagement, economic empowerment, strategic communication, and the involvement of religious and traditional leaders are also crucial."

Uba emphasized that key players, including journalists, traditional rulers, NGOs, and political leaders, are needed to create broader solutions to insecurity.

Presidential Support for the Partnership

A presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, also spoke during the discussion. He praised the collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.

He said sharing strategic information has become more important in counterterrorism efforts. He credited the partnership for improving military operations against insurgents.

"We want to thank the US government for the active collaboration they have had with our military. Nigeria has seen the war against terror increase in tempo and consistency, and we have recorded massive successes in counter-insurgency operations," he said.