The Federal Government said yesterday that its security collaboration with the United States(US) has strengthened counter-terrorism operations, especially in the Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral.
The government reiterated its commitment to strengthening cooperation to better protect lives and property across the country.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris stated that Nigeria was delighted that the security tie respects ‘’our country’s’’ sovereignty and prioritises accountability and civilian protection.
Ribadu and Idris spoke at the plenary session of the Nigeria – U.S. Joint Working Group to address the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation of the country at the NSA Office in Abuja. The U.S. team was led by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker.
Ribadu said the engagement marked the third high-level interaction with senior U.S. officials since November last year, and reflected a relationship “grounded in trust, candour and shared responsibility.”
He reaffirmed the security partnership between the two countries, pledging closer ties to curb terrorism, protect civilians and strengthen accountability across conflict-affected areas.
Ribadu said Nigeria approached the talks “as a partner, committed to practical outcomes,” describing the platform as one focused on problem-solving rather than compliance
These engagements have moved decisively beyond dialogue to action,” the NSA stated.
According to him, enhanced intelligence sharing and closer coordination between the U.S. military and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters resulted in the successes so far recorded by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast and Northwest as well as Operation FASAN YAMMA in the Northcentral.
Ribadu added that recent operations had led to the killing of hundreds of terrorists, the destruction of their logistics hubs and the interception of key collaborators.
The NSA hailed U.S. commitments to the timely delivery of military equipment, including drones and helicopters, noting that the cooperation respected Nigeria’s sovereignty and prioritised accountability.
He said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had declared security emergencies in vulnerable areas, authorised intensified joint operations and directed sustained deployments to communities facing repeated attacks.
Ribadu added that Nigeria was expanding early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms 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.
“Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself.”
We want Nigerians to know that this partnership is working. These efforts are not abstract. They are yielding results, and they will continue to do so,” he said.
On domestic security measures, the minister recalled that President Tinubu had formally declared national security emergencies in vulnerable and high-risk areas.
