US President Donald Trump has sent a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commending his decisive leadership on security and the protection of Christian communities in Nigeria. Trump pledged American solidarity in the fight against terrorism, stating, "It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous."
Growing Security Cooperation
The letter reflects a period of deepening cooperation between Abuja and Washington. In November 2024, both presidents agreed to establish a Joint Working Group, co-chaired by their National Security Advisers, to coordinate efforts against armed groups threatening stability in Nigeria. The group implemented measures covering training programmes, intelligence sharing, and joint military operations targeting terrorist networks in Nigeria and the broader Lake Chad basin.
Significant Military Success
The partnership's most notable achievement came on May 16, 2026, when a coordinated attack on ISIS positions in the Lake Chad area killed the group's top commander, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several senior lieutenants. The operation demonstrated the effectiveness of sustained security collaboration between the two nations.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagement
Building on this momentum, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Frank Garcia visited Abuja last week for talks with senior Nigerian officials. Garcia reaffirmed Washington's commitment to deepening ties with Nigeria across security and other areas of shared interest.
