Trump commends Tinubu’s counter-terrorism efforts, cites US-Nigeria security cooperation

 US President Donald Trump has praised President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to tackle terrorism in Nigeria.   Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, said in a statement on Wednesday that Trump’s commendation of Tinubu was contained in a letter dated July 6 and addressed to the Nigerian president.   Trump said he appreciated Tinubu’s “decisive leadership” and resolve to tackle the issues plaguing the nation, “especially the violence affecting Christian communities”.   “And it is a true honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous,” the letter reads.   “The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world.   “We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat.   “I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world—to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack. I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency.”     Cooperation between Nigeria and the US intensified last year after the West African country faced allegations from American lawmakers of allowing what they described as a genocide against Christian to fester under its watch. The Nigerian government denied the allegations.   Meanwhile, air strikes targeting Islamist terrorists in north-west Nigeria began in December and continued into this year.   In May, both countries announced a joint operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, in the Lake Chad area. Several of the ISIS leader’s lieutenants were also reportedly killed.   Dagvin Anderson, commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the US had pulled back many of its troops in Nigeria following the operation’s success but noted that Washington would retain its intelligence partnership with Abuja.   Last week, Frank Garcia, US assistant secretary of state for Africa, visited Nigeria.   Garcia held meetings with senior government officials and pledged to strengthen security ties and cooperation between Abuja and Washington and other areas of collaboration.   The two countries have since formed a joint working group and continue to collaborate in areas of mutual interest.

The US-Nigeria relationship has lourished in recent times, with the two sides working closely in key areas, especially in tackling security challenges afflicting parts of Nigeria. The post Trump lauds President Tinubu’s decisive leadership against terrorists appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.