US launches anti-terror working group with Nigeria
Abdullateef Fowewe
The United States has kicked off a new partnership with Nigeria to ramp up the fight against terrorism, with top military brass gathering in Abuja on Friday to formalise the effort.
Lt. Gen. John Brennan, a key figure from US Africa Command (AFRICOM), joined senior Nigerian leaders to launch the inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Working Group.
The move according to AFRICOM aims to sharpen coordination between the two nations amid ongoing security challenges in West Africa.
In an official statement released Friday, AFRICOM highlighted the group’s mission, “Lt. Gen. John Brennan joined senior leaders in Abuja today to launch the inaugural U.S.-Nigeria Working Group. This group establishes a new framework for coordination, accountability, and joint efforts to counter terrorism and protect the vulnerable.”
The working group represents a structured escalation in bilateral ties, focusing on intelligence sharing, training, and operations to tackle groups like Boko Haram and emerging threats.
Nigerian officials have welcomed the initiative as a vital step toward regional stability.
This launch comes at a tense time, with recent spikes in attacks across Nigeria’s northwest and the Lake Chad Basin.
US support could bolster Nigeria’s military capacity, building on years of aid and joint exercises.
