‘It is a true honour to stand with you’ — Trump commends Tinubu over fight against terrorism

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.

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