U.S.-Nigeria security partnership yielding tangible results, says Ribadu

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, stated that security collaboration with the United States has decisively advanced from dialogue to concrete action, producing measurable operational outcomes against terrorism.

Speaking at a Nigeria-U.S. Working Group meeting in Abuja, Ribadu highlighted that this third high-level engagement since November 2025 reflects a mature strategic partnership built on trust and shared responsibility.

He described the forum as a practical platform for solving problems and aligning priorities, not merely a compliance exercise.

Ribadu reported that enhanced cooperation has led to improved intelligence sharing, closer military coordination, and greater operational effectiveness in Nigeria’s North East, North West, and North Central conflict zones.

This collaboration, he said, has strengthened target identification and planning, resulting in hundreds of terrorists neutralized, along with the destruction of logistics hubs and the interception of key facilitators.

He also acknowledged U.S. commitments to deliver pending military equipment, such as drones and helicopters, noting all cooperation respects Nigerian sovereignty and prioritizes civilian protection.

Domestically, Ribadu outlined President Bola Tinubu’s security measures, including declaring emergencies in vulnerable areas and authorizing intensified joint operations.

He added that Nigeria is developing a national database on violence-related casualties to improve accountability and decision-making.

Ribadu emphasized that protecting citizens of all faiths is non-negotiable for Nigeria, and any violence framed religiously is treated as an attack on the state itself.

He urged that Nigeria’s security efforts be judged on institutional direction and high-level decisions, not isolated incidents.

In her address, U.S. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker urged Nigeria to take stronger, sustained action to protect communities as both nations deepen security cooperation.

She linked advancing religious freedom and security to broader bilateral ties, recalling the U.S. designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” in October 2025, which she said has since spurred closer cooperation.

Hooker acknowledged Nigeria’s progress, citing coordinated airstrikes, police recruitment, and arrests related to past attacks as direct results of the engagement.

She called for further work on supporting victims, returning displaced persons, disrupting terrorist financing, and ensuring accountability through investigations and prosecutions.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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