The Federal Government and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security cooperation to protect lives, promote religious freedom, and improve civilian protection across Nigeria.
This followed a plenary session of the Nigeria–United States Joint Working Group convened to address Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation.
The meeting was held at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.
Briefing journalists after the session, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the engagement was part of ongoing efforts to deepen Nigeria’s security partnerships and deliver concrete results for citizens.
He noted that the meeting marked the third high-level engagement between Nigeria and senior United States officials since November 2025, describing the partnership as active and focused on outcomes that matter to Nigerians.
According to the Minister, cooperation with the United States has resulted in improved intelligence sharing and operational coordination between both countries’ security agencies. He said these efforts have strengthened ongoing military operations, including Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East and Operation Fasan Yamma.
Idris disclosed that the United States has committed to the timely delivery of outstanding military equipment procured by Nigeria over the past five years. These include drones, helicopters, platforms, spare parts, and other support systems, as well as the provision of surplus defence equipment.
On domestic security measures, the Minister recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had declared national security emergencies in vulnerable and high-risk areas, authorised intensified joint operations, and ordered sustained deployment of security forces to priority locations.
He also revealed that the Federal Government is strengthening early-warning systems and developing a national database to provide accurate and verifiable data on deaths and casualties resulting from violent incidents. The initiative, he said, would support better decision-making, accountability, and improved security responses.
The Minister added that the government remains committed to justice and accountability, noting that the Ministry of Justice, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force are actively investigating and prosecuting terrorism-related cases.
The Joint Working Group meeting was co-chaired by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, and was attended by senior Nigerian and United States government officials from the defence, security, and foreign affairs sectors.