US hails Nigeria counterterrorism efforts, confirms joint operation against ISIS leader

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing conerning the fiscal year 2027 budget for the State Department, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on June 2, 2026. Rubio is testifying publicly before Congress for the first time since the war in Iran began. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

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The United States has reaffirmed its counterterrorism partnership with Nigeria, citing recent joint operations that dealt a major blow to the Islamic State terrorist network.

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The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the disclosure while speaking on U.S. foreign policy and international security cooperation.

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Rubio disclosed that American and Nigerian security agencies recently collaborated in an operation that eliminated a senior global ISIS leader operating from within Nigeria.

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According to him, concerns previously expressed by some groups regarding violence affecting Christian communities in Nigeria have strengthened security engagement between both countries.

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“On Nigeria, where many were very concerned about violence against Christians, we are now actively cooperating in counterterrorism with the Nigerian government and Nigerian security forces,” Rubio said.

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The U.S. Secretary of State revealed that the partnership had already produced tangible results in the fight against terrorism.

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He explained that the partnership included “a joint operation a couple of weeks ago that took out the number two leader of global ISIS, operating from inside of the country, and that continues.”

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Rubio’s remarks underscore growing security collaboration between Nigeria and the United States as both countries confront evolving terrorist threats in West Africa and the wider Sahel region.

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Nigeria has remained at the forefront of counter-terrorism efforts in West Africa, confronting groups linked to Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and other violent extremist networks.

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The country has also consistently advocated stronger international cooperation to tackle terrorism, illicit arms flows and cross-border criminal activities affecting the region.

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The latest U.S. acknowledgement comes amid renewed international focus on security challenges across the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel and parts of West Africa.

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The United States and Nigeria have maintained longstanding cooperation in security, peacekeeping, economic development and democratic governance.

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The remarks also reflect growing international recognition of Nigeria’s strategic importance in promoting peace, stability and counterterrorism efforts across Africa. (NAN)

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