United States President Donald Trump has recognised the federal government for its “partnership” in the operation that led to the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS.
Trump had announced early on Saturday that al-Minuki was killed in a “meticulously planned and very complex” mission involving Nigerian and American troops.
The US president described the slain terror leader as the “most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield”, adding that his elimination will greatly diminish ISIS globally.
“Thank you to the Government of Nigeria for your partnership on this operation,” Trump wrote.
The joint military operation comes a few days after Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), met with US Vice-President JD Vance and Marco Rubio, US secretary of state.
According to the presidency, conversations at the meeting had centred on the “importance of sustained cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges confronting West Africa and the broader Sahel region, particularly terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cyber threats”.
The NSA was said to have informed the US that Nigeria is fully committed to working with international partners in promoting peace, stability, democratic governance, and economic development across Africa.
The discussions also focused on the “evolving security situation in the Sahel, the need for enhanced regional cooperation, and the importance of strengthening institutional capacity to respond effectively to complex and asymmetric threats”.
Nigeria had entered into a military partnership with the United States following Trump’s re-designation of the West African nation as a country of particular concern (CPC).
NEXTER reported in February that a drone refuelling station was among the demands made by the US as part of the security partnership.
In March, the US deployed multiple MQ-9 drones alongside 200 troops to Nigeria to provide training and intelligence support to the country’s military in its fight against Islamist militants.
The Defence Headquarters had said the Nigerian troops, alongside the US forces, would commence a series of joint training engagements and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives.
