United States President, Donald Trump has praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership in the fight against terrorism, reaffirming America’s commitment to strengthening security cooperation with Nigeria through intelligence sharing, military training, and the deployment of elite Special Operations Forces.
Trump conveyed the message in a letter to President Tinubu, in which he commended the Nigerian leader’s determination to tackle insecurity, particularly attacks targeting Christian communities, describing it as “a true honour” to stand with Nigeria in confronting terrorists.
The US President also described the relationship between Nigeria and the United States as crucial at a time when conflict continues to spread across West Africa, noting that both countries share a common goal of defeating terrorism in all its forms.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the growing partnership between Abuja and Washington is anchored on the 2026 US-Nigeria Defence Cooperation Roadmap, which provides a framework for deeper military collaboration.
Trump disclosed that the United States had deployed its Special Operations Forces, regarded as some of the world’s most elite military units, to train and support the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, intelligence, and equipment required to combat terrorism and protect lives across the country.
The statement recalled that both leaders had, in November last year, agreed to establish a Joint Working Group, led by the National Security Advisers of both countries, to coordinate intelligence sharing, training, and joint operations against terrorist groups.
It added that one of the major outcomes of the collaboration was the May 16 coordinated offensive against ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad region, which reportedly resulted in the killing of the group’s leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, alongside several of his lieutenants.
The statement further noted that the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week and held talks with senior Nigerian officials, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in security and other strategic areas.
Trump concluded his letter by expressing confidence that both countries would continue to deepen their partnership throughout his presidency in pursuit of regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
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(Editor: Ada Ononye)
