By Ayomide Otitoju
The United States has delivered military supplies to Nigerian security agencies as part of efforts to strengthen security operations across several parts of the country.
The development was disclosed on Tuesday by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“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,” AFRICOM stated.
The Federal Government has said the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening security cooperation with Nigeria, including the provision of enhanced intelligence support, defence equipment and related articles to reinforce ongoing operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
Last November, the Federal Government dispatched a high-level delegation to Washington to strengthen bilateral security ties and explore new areas of cooperation between both countries.
The delegation was led by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and held engagements with senior officials of the U.S. Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council and the Department of War.
Other members of the delegation included the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and representatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
During the meetings, the Nigerian delegation dismissed allegations of genocide in the country, stressing that violent attacks affect families and communities across religious and ethnic lines. It also rejected what it described as a misleading portrayal of the security situation, warning that such narratives could deepen divisions and misrepresent realities on the ground.
Presidential spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said the engagements helped to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, strengthen mutual trust and advance a coordinated, solution-driven partnership aimed at protecting vulnerable communities, particularly in the Middle Belt.
According to Onanuga, both countries agreed to adopt a non-binding cooperation framework and establish a Joint Working Group to ensure a unified and coordinated approach to the agreed areas of collaboration.
He added that the Nigerian government reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening civilian protection measures, while the United States expressed readiness to provide complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected communities in the Middle Belt and technical support to enhance early-warning mechanisms.
