RismadarVoice Reporters, June 11, 2026
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has reaffirmed that its military activities in Nigeria are conducted with the full consent of the Nigerian government and are guided by a framework built on mutual interests and respect for the country’s sovereignty.
Speaking during an X Space discussion titled “Strengthening Security Through Strategic Information Sharing: United States and Nigerian Military Partnership Against Terrorism,” AFRICOM’s Director of Public Affairs, Colonel Rebecca Heyse, stressed that the US military operates in Nigeria strictly at the invitation of the Nigerian authorities.
According to her, the partnership is founded on cooperation rather than imposition, with all activities carried out under the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group framework.
“Our cooperation with Nigeria is anchored on respect for its sovereignty. We operate only by invitation and within the agreed framework established by both countries,” Heyse said.
She added that the United States would continue to support Nigeria’s security efforts for as long as the partnership remained beneficial to both nations and as long as common security challenges persisted.
Also speaking during the discussion, the spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, Major General Samiala Uba, emphasised that Nigeria retains full control over the scope and duration of the collaboration.
He noted that the partnership allows the Nigerian military to access specialised expertise, training, and operational support considered essential in tackling security threats.
“The collaboration exists because Nigeria considers it necessary. The skills, competencies, and specialised capabilities provided by the United States are valuable to our operations, and we will continue to engage as long as those needs remain,” Uba stated.
The defence spokesman disclosed that hundreds of Nigerian military personnel are currently undergoing training in the North-East under the arrangement, describing the programme as highly beneficial to the Armed Forces.
He said the cooperation has enhanced the military’s operational capacity through skills development and exposure to valuable counter-terrorism strategies.
Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare also commended the partnership, saying it has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency.
He noted that collaboration with the United States has helped strengthen the consistency and effectiveness of military operations across affected regions.
“We appreciate the support and cooperation of the US government. The tempo of our counter-terrorism operations has increased, and significant gains have been recorded in the fight against insurgents,” Dare said.
The partnership comes against the backdrop of concerns raised by US President Donald Trump in November 2025, when Nigeria was designated a “Country of Particular Concern” over allegations that Christians were facing severe persecution and attacks by extremist groups.
The Nigerian government rejected claims of widespread religiously motivated killings and instead sought deeper cooperation with the United States to strengthen counter-insurgency efforts.
In December 2025, AFRICOM, working in coordination with Nigerian authorities, carried out missile strikes targeting ISIS militants in Sokoto State. Following the operation, approximately 200 US troops were deployed to support the training of Nigerian forces engaged in combating Islamist insurgents.
Officials say the collaboration has since produced notable results, including the elimination of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS figure described by some security analysts as one of the group’s top global commanders.
The US and Nigeria continue to maintain close military cooperation as both countries seek to address evolving security threats across the region.
