The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AFRICOM

  • U.S delivers new supplies to boost Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts

    U.S delivers new supplies to boost Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts

    The United States (U.S) has delivered critical military supplies to Nigeria to support the ongoing security operations.

    This was disclosed by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) on its official X account on Tuesday.

    AFRICOM said the delivery of the supplies underscored the U.S. security partnership with Nigeria.

    The post read, “U.S. forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja. This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasizes our shared security partnership.”

    The delivery is coming barely about 18 days after the U.S government launched deadly strikes on terrorists in Nigeria.

    The U.S military on December 24, 2025 launched “powerful and deadly” strikes against ISIS affiliated groups in Jabo, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto.

    The ISIS affiliate in Nigeria is known as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). It operates primarily in the North-East and the Lake Chad Basin, but is also said to have spread to the North-West.

    AFRICOM in its X account stated that the strike was at “the request of Nigerian authorities.”

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    The spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, had said in a statement that the “precision hits” was in keeping with “structured security cooperation with international partners”.

    He said, “Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism,” the statement reads.

    “This has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West.

    “In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.

    “Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity.”

  • US AFRICOM delegation meets Marwa, assures NDLEA of enhanced collaboration, support

    US AFRICOM delegation meets Marwa, assures NDLEA of enhanced collaboration, support

    A delegation of senior officials of the United States Africa Command on Tuesday met with the chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd). 

    Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    During the meeting, they commended the existing relationship between NDLEA and AFRICOM, with an assurance of enhanced collaboration and partnership in the fight against illicit drugs.

    Leader of the delegation, Philip Esch, who is the US Drug Enforcement Administration Liaison to AFRICOM, in his remarks said the relationship between NDLEA and US-DEA is not only a partnership but highly important to the US government.

    He commended Marwa for providing good leadership and being open to international partnerships.

    “We appreciate all the support and the leadership you provide. Obviously, you know that the relationship between NDLEA and DEA is of utmost importance, and we appreciate the excellent relationship across US law enforcement with you and the NDLEA. We want that to continue, and we are very happy that your tenure was renewed for another five years. We really look forward to continued engagement,” Esch stated.

    Also speaking at the meeting, another member of the delegation, James Elseth expressed excitement about supporting NDLEA because of the Agency’s tremendous work in Nigeria, which is equally contributing to the security of other countries.

    According to him, “I want to thank you, General, because you have a regional mindset and an international mindset, which is showing clearly in the scope and impact of your work. A lot of countries that we work with are only focused on their own country. And just like DEA and FBI, we have an international mindset to try to stop organized crime from impacting our respective countries.”

     He commended NDLEA for providing adequate maintenance of equipment and facilities earlier provided by the US government, while assuring that two major projects were already in the works to further support the Agency, in addition to training and others.

    In his response, Marwa expressed appreciation for the visit and commended ongoing support from US-AFRICOM to NDLEA while congratulating Philip Esch for his years of meritorious service to the US government.

    “We appreciate very much the ongoing support from AFRICOM. I must also say that whatever we are achieving is due to this kind of support from you and our other international partners, and more importantly, due to the commitment and encouragement from the renewed hope of the administration of President Bola Tinubu,” he stated.

    He urged the team to continue to support NDLEA, especially because of the nexus between illicit drugs and terrorism.

    He said the Agency will appreciate more support on scanning equipment at the airports, digital forensic tools, portable drug detection equipment, forensic laboratory equipment, and sniffer dogs, among others.

  • Matawalle seeks stronger US support on intelligence, counterterrorism

    Matawalle seeks stronger US support on intelligence, counterterrorism

    Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has called for increased support from the United States in intelligence sharing, counterterrorism efforts, and the enhancement of military capabilities to address the country’s growing security challenges.

    Matawalle disclosed this while receiving Major General Garrick Harmon, Director for Strategy, Engagement, and Programs at the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Defence headquarters (Ship House) in Abuja on Thursday.

    Major General Harmon is in Nigeria as part of a familiarisation tour in his current role within AFRICOM.

    According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, Matawalle emphasised the need to deepen the defence partnership between Nigeria and the United States, highlighting the importance of collaboration in overcoming shared security threats and enhancing regional stability.

    He reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to strengthen bilateral defence ties, especially in areas that support the nation’s fight against terrorism and other transnational crimes. 

    The statement said: “He said Nigeria is dedicated to promoting regional peace and security; however, we cannot achieve this alone.

    “We require more robust support from the United States, particularly in intelligence sharing and capacity building, to effectively combat terrorism, insurgency, and transnational threats.

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    According to the statement, Maj Gen Harmon, in his response, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts in enhancing security and stability across West Africa.

    “He noted that despite the brief duration of his visit, the engagements in Nigeria have been highly productive and highlight the strength of the existing partnership between the two nations,” the statement said.

    “Both parties acknowledged their shared interests and agreed on the necessity for deeper collaboration in addressing the security challenges facing the region.”