Nigeria, US Strengthen Defence Partnership Against Terrorism
Oru Leonard
Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral military cooperation, particularly in the fight against terrorism and other security threats.
The commitment was renewed when the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, received the Commander of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), Major General Matthew Brown, who paid an official working visit to the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.
The meeting focused on reviewing ongoing joint security initiatives and developing a more effective strategic framework for future defence cooperation between both countries.
General Musa expressed appreciation for the sustained support of the United States to Nigeria’s security efforts, noting that joint operations in the North-East and the Lake Chad Basin had contributed to improved troop morale.
He identified several areas requiring deeper bilateral cooperation, including specialised training for Special Forces, intelligence sharing and capacity building, improved border surveillance, counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) capabilities and the modernisation of defence infrastructure.
According to the Minister, strengthening these areas would further enhance Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to evolving security challenges while building greater local capabilities.
In his remarks, Major General Brown congratulated Nigeria ahead of its Independence Day and expressed appreciation for the longstanding military-to-military relationship between the two countries.
He highlighted successful counter-terrorism engagements against ISIS-affiliated groups in Africa and commended the personnel involved in the operations.
Addressing questions around U.S. military activities in Nigeria, Brown explained that the country’s engagements remain temporary and are primarily focused on institutional support, cooperation and strengthening the capacity of Nigerian security institutions.
He described the Nigeria-U.S. defence relationship as strategic and founded on mutual trust, stressing that his visit was aimed at gaining a clearer understanding of Nigeria’s defence priorities.
He added that the information gathered would help the United States better align its support with Nigeria’s security requirements, particularly in the area of bilateral intelligence sharing.
The meeting underscored the continued importance both countries attach to coordinated efforts against terrorism and other transnational security threats in the region.
(MOD Press)
