U.S., Nigeria Collaborate on Joint Working Group to Combat Terror Networks

U.S., Nigeria Collaborate on Joint Working Group to Combat Terror Networks

National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu has inaugurated the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group in Abuja, announcing that the security partnership has moved beyond dialogue into “tangible operational gains.”

This meeting marks the third high-level engagement since November 2025, specifically designed to deepen counter-terrorism cooperation and address regional instability through practical, results-oriented collaboration.

This initiative follows the October 2025 redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by the U.S. government. Since that designation, tactical coordination has intensified, evidenced by the December 25 airstrikes against terrorist enclaves.

These strikes were closely synchronized between U.S. and Nigerian forces, signaling a significant shift toward joint military execution in the field.

Ribadu noted that enhanced intelligence sharing has improved situational awareness across multiple combat zones, leading to the neutralization of hundreds of terrorists and the destruction of vital logistics hubs.

Additionally, the U.S. has pledged the timely delivery of long-awaited military hardware, including drones and helicopters. This equipment is expected to significantly modernize Nigeria’s aerial surveillance and strike capabilities.

U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker emphasized that protecting vulnerable communities is a primary focus of this new engagement.

The working group is tasked with reducing abductions and killings while ensuring that perpetrators face prosecution through intensified investigations.

Hooker stated that progress in religious freedom and community security is essential for expanding broader bilateral ties in health and economics.

To address international concerns regarding transparency, Nigeria is developing a national database to serve as the official source for casualty and incident data. Ribadu reassured global partners that protecting all citizens, regardless of religious belief, remains a “non-negotiable” priority. He asserted that any violence targeting religious groups is viewed as a direct attack on the integrity of the Nigerian state.

The Joint Working Group, comprising Nigeria’s Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Interior, will hold ongoing meetings to align security priorities. This structured framework aims to ensure a unified front against transnational criminal elements and consolidate recent military successes. Both nations expressed confidence that this matured strategic relationship will provide more effective and lasting protection for the Nigerian people.