United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that America is actively conducting counterterrorism operations in Nigeria in collaboration with the Nigerian government. He made this statement on Tuesday while testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee regarding the State Department's Fiscal Year 2027 budget request.
Successful Joint Operations
Rubio highlighted the elimination of Abubakar Mainok, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, a senior Islamic State commander, as part of successful joint operations carried out in recent months. He stated, "We are now actively in counterterrorism cooperation with the Nigerian government and Nigerian security forces."
Response to Violence Against Christians
The Secretary of State noted that the operation addresses concerns about "violence against Christians" in the country. Previously, US Secretary of War Pete Hegeseth had indicated that America's military operation in Nigeria was based on President Donald Trump's directive to protect Nigerian Christians targeted by ISIS terrorists. Hegeseth claimed the directive led to the killing of the Islamic State commander, who was the ISIS number two person in Nigeria and "most responsible for the targeted killing of Christians and trying to target the US Homeland." He also stated that over 100 other ISIS members operating in the North-east have been killed in operations by the US Africa Command, attributing this to Trump's "unwavering" commitment to protect Christians.
Trump's Description of the Mission
President Trump previously described the operation as a "meticulously planned and very complex mission" carried out in partnership with Nigeria. Rubio, in his latest remarks shared on X by the Department of State, said that shared concerns about targeted attacks on Christian communities strengthened the security engagement between Nigeria and the US. He also stated that the US will continue to engage in counterterrorism cooperation with the Nigerian government and its security forces.
Context of Violence
However, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Al-Minuki operated in the North-east and Lake Chad region, where attacks are carried out indiscriminately, with Muslims being the most affected group. He was killed on Lake Chad island, many miles from the region the US government identified as hotspots of anti-Christian persecution last year. At the height of US antagonism in 2025, top US officials, including Riley Moore, Ted Cruz, and Chris Smith — all Republican lawmakers – alongside Christian lobby groups, framed the violence in the country as an anti-Christian crusade carried out in the North-central, particularly Benue and Plateau states. The campaign eventually culminated in the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern. The violence in the North-east and Lake Chad island, where the Islamic State leader was reported to have been killed, is not based on any organized, systematic effort to eliminate Christians, as claimed by the US.
Evolution of US-Nigeria Relations
The US-Nigeria interaction, which had been marked by an antagonistic relationship, has morphed into a security partnership following a series of diplomatic trips, high-level meetings, and the establishment of a joint working group led by Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the US Under Secretary of State, Allison Hooker. In January, the US and Nigeria also introduced the 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap, and three weeks ago, they launched the Defence Institutional Technical Working Groups (DITWGs) to deepen military collaboration. US military support to Nigeria is also said to include the deployment of about 200 troops and MQ-9 surveillance drones.
