By Ochiaka Ugwu
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has said the recent United States and Nigeria security cooperation had led to neutralization of several hundreds of terrorists, destruction of their logistics hubs, and interception of key facilitators and logisticians.
Ribadu made this known in Abuja Thursday during the inauguration of Nigeria Joint Working Group which would function as a problem-solving platform, that enables both U.S. and Nigerian governments to align priorities, address legitimate concerns, and consolidate progress already achieved in the previous security engagements.
Ribadu who also received United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker said the security cooperation has translated into tangible operational gains from enhanced intelligence sharing, closer coordination between U.S. AFRICOM and Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters.
He said it has also sustained engagement across security institutions and materially strengthened counter-terrorism posture and situational awareness across multiple theatres of operation, particularly in the North East under Operation HADIN KAI, as well as in the North West and Central under Operation FASAN YAMMA.
Continuing, Mallam Ribadu said the engagements which moved decisively beyond dialogue to action led to improved target identification and operational fidelity, strengthened joint planning, and enabled more effective disruption of terrorist networks and transnational criminal elements.
He called for the U.S commitment to timely delivery of outstanding articles of war such as drones, helicopters, platforms, spare parts, and associated support systems procured over the past five years as well as its readiness to support Nigeria through the provision of surplus defence equipment.
He informed the cooperation has been conducted with respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty, within agreed frameworks, and with a clear emphasis on joint operations, accountability and the protection of civilians.
Ribadu assured of Nigeria’s readiness to accept frank and constructive dialogue and openness to refining approaches, strengthening cooperation, and ensuring the Working Group remains focused on outcomes rather than labels, trajectory rather than snapshots, and partnership rather than perception.
Also speaking, the visiting United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker while reaffirming security partnership with Nigeria said the delegation was in Abuja to discuss how it can work together to deter violence against Christian communities; prioritizing countering terrorism and insecurity; investigating attacks and holding perpetrators accountable; and reducing the number of killings, forced displacements, and abductions of Christians, particularly in the North Central States.
While appreciating Nigeria’s close cooperation with U.S. on degrading terrorist capabilities to perpetrate violence against Nigerians, she said airstrikes were closely coordinated with Nigeria, and assured on continuous cooperation to defeat terrorists.
She however, utged local government leadership to work with NGOs to meet the needs of the victims’ families, saying that advancing religious freedom and security will help the two nations to enhance the reciprocal benefits of their relationship: solidifying trade and economic deals, degrading terrorist groups that threaten our interests, and strengthening health responses, among many other areas.
She expressed hope that the cooperation would identify ways to return internally displaced persons to the communities from which they were expelled in the North Central States, interdict weapons and funding going to terrorist groups, and expand investigations and ensure prosecution of individuals and groups committing atrocities.
