U.S. commend Nigerian Air Force for counter-terrorism efforts

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The United States Bureau of Counterterrorism has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its relentless commitment and significant contributions to the fight against terrorism and counterinsurgency operations in Nigeria.

The Acting Principal Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the Bureau, Jessica Long, gave the commendation when she led the US delegation on a high-level meeting with the NAF in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by the Deputy Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Group Capt. Kabiru Ali, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Long also commended the Nigerian government and its armed forces for their steadfast commitment to combating terrorism.

She acknowledged the recent successes of the Nigerian military in disrupting terrorist networks and praised their adoption of innovative, intelligence-driven tactics that have proven effective in neutralising insurgent threats.

According to her, these efforts have not only helped secure strategic regions within Nigeria but have also contributed to the overall stability of the area.

Long reiterated the United States’ continued support for the NAF’s counter-terrorism initiatives and emphasised the critical role of international collaboration in addressing evolving security threats.

She highlighted the importance of advancing purposeful lethality through precision-driven operations to ensure that NAF’s efforts remain both effective and strategically impactful.

In his remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, AVM Ibikunle Daramola, who received the delegation, reaffirmed the NAF’s unwavering resolve to ensure national security and protect civilians during military operations.

Daramola highlighted the advancements made within the NAF Civil-Military Relations Branch, particularly in fostering community trust and minimising collateral damage.

He called for increased cooperation in areas such as specialised training and technology transfer to further strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism capabilities.

The meeting was attended by senior NAF officers, who discussed strategies to strengthen security cooperation, enhance intelligence sharing, and bolster counterterrorism efforts between both nations.

The discussions also explored avenues for intelligence sharing, capacity building, and operational support to enhance NAF’s effectiveness in combating insurgency and terrorism. (NAN)