The United States has opened a new phase of military engagement with Nigeria as part of a wider campaign to weaken terrorist networks operating across Africa.
American forces are increasing the supply of military equipment and strengthening intelligence exchange with Nigerian security agencies.
This move is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s capacity to confront extremist groups linked to the Islamic State and other insurgent factions.
The development follows a high-level security meeting between officials from both countries in Abuja last week. Discussions focused on counterterrorism operations, regional security threats, and deeper operational coordination.
US officials said the new approach reflects a more forceful posture toward militant groups across the continent.
According to them, extremist movements in different African regions are interconnected and must be tackled through joint planning and shared intelligence.
Under the current US administration, Washington has shifted toward giving African partners greater access to equipment and fewer restrictions on how security resources are used in counterterrorism operations. The strategy is to help local forces respond faster and strike militant hideouts more effectively.
Nigeria’s northeast and northwest remain key areas of concern. The northeast has suffered years of violence from Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The northwest, particularly Sokoto State, has recently seen renewed militant activity tied to Islamic State Sahel Province.
US officials described ISWAP as one of the most dangerous extremist groups in the region. Intelligence support will mainly focus on helping Nigerian air operations against terrorist camps in these zones.
The partnership also extends beyond Nigeria. The Pentagon has maintained contact with military authorities in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali, despite their current political transitions. American officials believe regional cooperation is necessary because terrorist groups move easily across borders.
However, the new military push has unfolded amid diplomatic tensions. Washington has raised concerns about attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria.
Nigerian authorities and security analysts have rejected claims that the violence is targeted solely at one religious group, arguing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of insurgent attacks.
At the Abuja meeting, US officials urged Nigerian leaders to improve civilian protection efforts. They also stressed that intelligence sharing would not be limited to any religious group but would focus on dismantling terrorist networks threatening national stability.
Recent US air operations in northwest Nigeria remain difficult to assess. Journalists and independent monitors have not confirmed the number of casualties from the strikes.
However, Nigeria’s Information Minister Mohammed Idris, said the outcome of the operation is “still a work in progress.”
Recall, POLITICS NIGERIA previously reported that the United States carried out surprise airstrikes on terrorist positions in northwest Nigeria during the Christmas period, marking the first known direct US military action against Islamic State-linked fighters inside the country.