The Federal Government has said its security collaboration with the United States is delivering tangible results, particularly in counter-terrorism operations across the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions of the country.
National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to deepening the partnership to better protect lives and property nationwide.
They spoke at the plenary session of the Nigeria–U.S. Joint Working Group convened to address Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation, held at the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja. The U.S. delegation was led by the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker.
Ribadu said the meeting marked the third high-level engagement between both countries since November last year and reflected a relationship “grounded in trust, candour and shared responsibility.”
He noted that the collaboration had progressed beyond dialogue to concrete action, citing enhanced intelligence sharing and closer coordination between the U.S. military and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters.
“These engagements have moved decisively beyond dialogue to action,” Ribadu said.
According to him, joint efforts have contributed significantly to recent successes recorded by Nigerian troops under Operations Hadin Kai and Fasan Yamma, leading to the disruption of terrorist networks, destruction of logistics hubs and interception of key collaborators.
The NSA added that the United States had committed to the timely delivery of critical military equipment, including drones and helicopters, stressing that the partnership respects Nigeria’s sovereignty while prioritising accountability and civilian protection.
Ribadu disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had declared security emergencies in vulnerable areas, authorised intensified joint operations and ordered sustained deployments to communities facing repeated attacks. He added that the government was strengthening early-warning and rapid-response systems 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, adding that violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said the engagement underscored the seriousness and effectiveness of Nigeria’s security partnerships.
“This bilateral engagement shows that our partnership is active, focused and delivering outcomes that matter to Nigerians,” Idris said.
He noted that cooperation with the United States had produced measurable operational gains through intelligence sharing and coordination, adding that Washington had also pledged to deliver outstanding military equipment, spare parts and support systems procured over the past five years.
“We want Nigerians to know that this partnership is working. These efforts are real, they are yielding results, and they will continue to do so,” the minister said.
Idris further explained that the Federal Government was strengthening early-warning mechanisms and building a single, reliable national database on casualties linked to violence to improve decision-making, accountability and security responses.
He added that justice remains a key pillar of the government’s security strategy, with the Ministry of Justice, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force actively investigating and prosecuting terrorism-related cases.
On her part, U.S. Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker said Washington remained committed to expanding cooperation with Nigeria to protect vulnerable communities and counter terrorism.
She acknowledged progress made since Nigeria’s CPC designation last October, including increased recruitment of police officers, arrests and prosecutions related to mass killings, and the rescue of abducted persons.
Hooker commended Nigeria’s cooperation in degrading terrorist capabilities, noting that recent air operations were closely coordinated with Nigerian authorities. However, she expressed concern over fresh reports of abductions in parts of Kaduna State and urged sustained efforts to protect religious communities and hold perpetrators accountable.
Both sides agreed that the Joint Working Group would remain focused on practical outcomes, sustained cooperation and concrete measures to reduce killings, abductions and displacement, as Nigeria and the United States work together to curb insecurity and terrorism.
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