By Bavoriat Clara
The United States and Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security cooperation, protecting vulnerable communities, and promoting religious freedom during a high-level bilateral working group meeting held in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker, said the engagement marked a continuation of efforts following the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern on October 31, 2025. She noted that the designation had since led to deeper collaboration between both countries aimed at protecting vulnerable populations, particularly Christian communities.
Hooker said the U.S.–Nigeria partnership is founded on shared interests spanning trade, investment, energy, regional stability and security. She identified key priorities of the working group to include deterring violence against Christian communities, countering terrorism and insecurity, investigating attacks, holding perpetrators accountable, and reducing killings, forced displacements and abductions, especially in Nigeria’s North Central states.
She commended Nigeria’s cooperation in degrading terrorist capabilities, noting that coordinated airstrikes conducted on December 25 were carried out in close collaboration with Nigerian authorities.
According to her, the operations formed part of broader efforts to defeat extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians.
The Under Secretary highlighted what she described as tangible progress, including Nigeria’s recruitment of an additional 20,000 police officers to protect vulnerable communities, the arraignment of nine suspects linked to a June 2025 massacre in Benue State, and the arrest of 39 suspects allegedly fleeing Sokoto State following the December airstrikes. She also cited the release of 38 Christians abducted from a church in Kwara State and 265 others abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School as evidence of improved security outcomes.
However, Hooker expressed concern over reports that more than 170 Christians were kidnapped in Kaduna State on January 18, urging the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to safeguard citizens and ensure freedom of worship. She also encouraged local authorities to work closely with non-governmental organisations to support victims and affected families.
In his opening remarks, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser welcomed the U.S. delegation and described the meeting as the third high-level engagement with senior U.S. officials since November 2025. He said the engagements underscored a maturing strategic relationship anchored on trust, shared responsibility and practical outcomes.
The National Security Adviser emphasised that Nigeria views the working group as a problem-solving platform rather than a compliance exercise, aimed at aligning priorities and consolidating gains already made. He expressed appreciation for U.S.–Nigeria military and security cooperation, particularly enhanced intelligence sharing and coordination with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which he said had strengthened Nigeria’s counter-terrorism posture across multiple theatres.
He cited operational gains under Operation HADIN KAI in the North East and Operation FASAN YAMMA in the North West and North Central, including the neutralisation of hundreds of terrorists, destruction of logistics hubs, and interception of key facilitators. He also welcomed U.S. commitments toward the delivery of defence equipment, including drones, helicopters, platforms and spare parts, stressing that cooperation had respected Nigeria’s sovereignty and prioritised civilian protection.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken decisive steps to confront insecurity, including declaring national security emergencies in high-risk areas, authorising intensified joint operations, and directing sustained deployments to vulnerable communities. He added that Nigeria is expanding early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms, developing a national database on conflict-related casualties, and intensifying investigations and prosecutions linked to attacks on religious communities.
The National Security Adviser stressed that Nigeria remains a plural society where the protection of Christians, Muslims and adherents of other beliefs is non-negotiable, noting that violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state.
Both sides reiterated that the partnership extends beyond security to democratic resilience, rule of law, regional stability and preventing extremist exploitation of social and governance gaps. They expressed confidence that continued dialogue and cooperation would deliver improved security, accountability and lasting protection for all communities.
The meeting concluded with both delegations committing to sustained engagement and outcome-driven collaboration in addressing insecurity and promoting religious freedom in Nigeria.
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