United States President Donald Trump has reaffirmed America’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, praising President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to tackle insecurity and violence affecting communities across the country.
In a letter dated July 6, 2026, Trump thanked Tinubu for his leadership and described the US-Nigeria relationship as crucial, especially at a time when security challenges continue to affect parts of West Africa.
The US president commended Tinubu’s determination to confront terrorism and other security threats, saying it was an honour to stand with Nigeria in efforts to make the country safer and more prosperous.
Trump noted that both countries share a common goal of defeating terrorism and highlighted the US-Nigeria Defence Cooperation Roadmap 2026 as a key framework for strengthening security collaboration.
He also disclosed that the United States has deployed Special Operations Forces to train and equip members of the Nigerian Armed Forces with advanced skills, intelligence and resources needed to combat terrorism and protect citizens.
The letter follows previous agreements between both countries to establish a Joint Working Group focused on intelligence sharing, military training and joint operations against terrorist groups.
According to reports, one of the outcomes of the partnership was a coordinated operation in the Lake Chad region, where security forces reportedly eliminated a top ISIS commander and several of his associates.
Meanwhile, the United States Department of State has reaffirmed that jihadist groups remain a major global security threat despite years of military operations.
Speaking after an international counter-terrorism meeting in Washington, US Ambassador-at-Large for Counter-terrorism Gregory D. LoGerfo said the United States would continue working with partners, including Nigeria, through intelligence sharing, diplomacy, financial measures and military cooperation to combat terrorism.
He added that participating countries agreed to strengthen intelligence exchange, tighten travel restrictions on suspected terrorists and improve the protection of critical infrastructure.
In a related development, Operation HADIN KAI confirmed that Nigerian troops carried out a successful drone strike in the Southern Lake Chad area, killing more than 20 ISWAP fighters and destroying a major logistics base.
Military authorities also confirmed the elimination of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, an ISWAP propaganda operative and former raid commander, describing the operation as another major setback for the terrorist group.
According to the military, the strikes destroyed dozens of motorcycles, food supplies and other logistics used by the insurgents, weakening their operational capabilities in the North-East.
