Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has said that ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States has played a major role in weakening the activities of the Islamic State of West Africa Province and other terrorist groups operating within the region.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, made this known during an engagement on X Spaces focused on improving security through strategic information sharing in the Nigeria United States military partnership against terrorism.
He explained that the collaboration has strengthened intelligence sharing, improved logistics support, enhanced strategic communication, and boosted the overall effectiveness of counter terrorism operations carried out by Nigerian forces.
According to him, terrorism remains a cross border threat that cannot be tackled in isolation, stressing the need for stronger intelligence cooperation, better technology use, and sustained international partnerships.
Uba added that recent joint efforts have led to intelligence driven operations that successfully disrupted terrorist networks, destroyed hideouts, and dismantled logistics bases used by insurgents.
He also noted that the partnership has improved surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities while enhancing the preparedness of Nigerian troops through specialised training and support.
The defence spokesperson expressed appreciation to the United States government and the United States Africa Command for their continued assistance in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. He also acknowledged President Bola Tinubu for providing the Armed Forces with the resources and equipment needed for ongoing military operations.
On the United States side, the Director of Public Affairs at AFRICOM, Colonel Rebecca Heyse, said joint operations conducted with Nigerian forces have significantly reduced the strength and influence of ISIS in the region.
She explained that the operations, which began on May 16, followed months of coordinated planning and intelligence sharing between both countries.
According to her, the missions led to the elimination of ISIS second in command globally, Abu Bilal al Minuki, along with several other key figures involved in operations and propaganda activities.
She further disclosed that over two hundred ISIS fighters were neutralised during the operations, while several checkpoints, weapons storage sites, logistics centres, and training camps were destroyed.
Heyse added that the operations also disrupted financial channels and media networks used to support terrorist activities across Nigeria and the wider region.
She credited the success of the missions to close cooperation between Nigerian and United States military forces, as well as support from intelligence agencies, noting that the partnership respects Nigeria’s sovereignty while strengthening collective security efforts.
Both officials stressed that sustained information sharing, intelligence coordination, and public engagement remain essential in maintaining progress against terrorism and ensuring long term stability in the region.
