By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
US Deepens Military and Intelligence Cooperation With Nigeria Amid Rising Security Threats
The United States has moved to strengthen its security partnership with Nigeria, stepping up the supply of military equipment and expanding intelligence sharing as both countries confront the growing threat posed by Daesh-linked armed groups operating across West Africa.
The renewed cooperation was highlighted during the inaugural meeting of the US–Nigeria Joint Working Group on Security, held recently in Abuja.
The meeting came just weeks after US forces carried out targeted strikes against suspected Daesh-linked positions in northwestern Nigeria—an operation that signalled Washington’s increasing readiness to take a more active role in counterterrorism efforts on the continent.
Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Lieutenant General John Brennan, the deputy commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the US is prioritising support that directly enhances Nigerian military operations.
According to him, this includes timely intelligence, advanced surveillance capabilities, and the delivery of equipment designed to improve operational effectiveness on the ground. Brennan noted that Washington’s engagement is not limited to Nigeria alone.
He said US defence officials have maintained open communication channels with the militaries of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, reflecting a broader regional approach to tackling militant networks whose operations cut across national borders.
Security analysts say the shift comes against the backdrop of worsening instability in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions, where armed groups linked to Daesh and other extremist factions have exploited weak governance, porous borders, and local grievances to expand their influence.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has been battling insurgency and banditry for over a decade, particularly in its northwest and northeast regions.
Under the current US administration, Brennan explained, Washington has adopted a more assertive counterterrorism posture in Africa.
He said the focus is now on enabling local forces to lead operations, while the US provides intelligence, logistical backing, and fewer operational restrictions than in previous years.
“From Somalia to Nigeria, these threats are interconnected,” Brennan said, stressing that dismantling such networks requires shared intelligence and coordinated action across regions.
“Our role is to help partners access the information and capabilities they need to succeed.”
Despite the push for closer cooperation, the relationship has not been without strain.
Tensions flared after former US President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of widespread killings of Christians—an allegation Nigerian authorities strongly denied, describing it as a misrepresentation of the country’s complex security challenges.
Nigeria is nearly evenly split between a largely Muslim north and a predominantly Christian south, with officials insisting that violence is driven by criminal and extremist elements rather than religious targeting.
Brennan said US intelligence support will now focus largely on assisting Nigerian air operations in hotspots across the northwest and northeast, areas where armed groups have entrenched themselves over several years.
Observers see the enhanced partnership as a strategic move by Washington to curb the spread of extremist violence in Africa while reinforcing Nigeria’s role as a key regional security actor.
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