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Samaila Uba, director of defence information at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), says recent anti-terrorism operations between the Nigerian military and the United States Africa Command (US-Africom) have killed several high-value terrorist commanders and no fewer than 200 insurgents in the north-east.
Uba spoke on Tuesday during an X Space jointly hosted by the DHQ and US-Africom to sensitise Nigerians on the progress and outcome of the joint counter-terrorism efforts in the north-east, which kicked off early this year.
Uba said the recent collaborative efforts have contributed to improved intelligence-driven operations, leading to the destruction of terrorist networks, terrorist enclaves and logistic infrastructure, as well as enhanced surveillance and reconnaissance capability.
“The partnership has also strengthened the operational readiness of Nigerian troops through specialised training programmes, intelligence-fusion initiatives, joint planning engagements, and professional military education,” Uba said.
“These efforts have supported ongoing military operations across the north-east and other territories, contributing to operational success.
“While significant progress has been made, we recognise that the fight against terrorism is an ongoing effort.
“Enhanced cooperation, intelligence sharing, capacity building and public support remain critical.
“We remain confident in our collective ability to confront emerging threats and secure a more peaceful future.”
Speaking on the mode of operation, timeline and extent of the collaboration, Rebecca Heyse, director of public affairs at US-Africom, said the US will continue to partner Nigeria as long as there are shared security threats, and that the cooperation is fundamentally rooted in respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.
She said the US operates strictly by invitation to “enable mutual security solutions without imposing external mandates”.
“We are here at the invitation of the government of Nigeria, and our activities are agreed upon under the US-Nigeria joint working group framework,” Heyse said.
“As long as there are shared security threats and the agreement of the joint working group framework continues to be of value to both of our countries, the US pledges our partnership.
“As we continue to share intelligence and we understand the terrorist activities within Nigeria, any time that we can take action in line with the joint working group framework, the US is committed to being a good partner, but we will always be in line with that joint working group framework.”
In February, the US deployed 200 troops in Nigeria.
The deployment came weeks after the redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ (CPC) by US President Donald Trump.
Trump had threatened to send troops into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing to wipe out the terrorists killing our Christians”.
On December 25, the US launched air strikes against two terrorist enclaves in Bauni forest in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto state.
In May, a joint US-Nigerian operation killed Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, second-in-command of ISIS, in his hideout in Borno state.
