Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE United States has delivered a consignment of military supplies to Nigerian security agencies, intended to bolster ongoing security operations in several regions of the country.
The delivery was disclosed in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The command stated, “U.S. forces delivered critical military supplies to our Nigerian partners in Abuja. This delivery supports Nigeria’s ongoing operations and emphasises our shared security partnership.”
Photographs shared by the command showed the supplies being unloaded from a military transport aircraft on January 13, 2026.
This shipment follows a commitment from the US government to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria.
The Federal Government had previously announced that the US affirmed its readiness to provide enhanced intelligence support, defence equipment, and articles to reinforce Nigeria’s operations against terrorists and violent extremist groups.
The groundwork for this strengthened partnership was laid last November, when the Federal Government dispatched a high-level delegation to Washington. The delegation’s aim was to fortify security ties between the two nations and open new avenues for cooperation.
Led by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the delegation engaged with senior officials across the US Congress, the White House Faith Office, the State Department, the National Security Council, and the Department of Defense.
Other key members of the delegation included the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiandeye; the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and two representatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
During the talks, the Nigerian delegation directly addressed and refuted allegations of genocide within Nigeria.
They emphasised that violent attacks impact families and communities across all religious and ethnic lines, rejecting what they termed a wrongful and divisive framing of the situation.
A statement by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga noted, “The discussions provided ample opportunity to correct misconceptions about Nigeria, forged a constructive, solution-driven partnership with the United States, reinforced mutual trust, and advanced a coordinated approach to protecting vulnerable communities, especially in the Middle Belt.”
According to Onanuga, both nations agreed to implement a non-binding cooperation framework and to establish a Joint Working Group. This mechanism is designed to ensure a unified and coordinated approach to the agreed areas of collaboration.
In return, the Nigerian delegation reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening measures for civilian protection. “The Federal Government restates its awareness of heightened sensitivities regarding religious freedom and security, and urges citizens to remain assured that firm, urgent, and coordinated steps are being taken to secure the nation,” Onanuga stated.
He added that the United States also expressed its willingness to extend complementary support, including humanitarian assistance to affected populations in the Middle Belt and technical support to bolster early-warning mechanisms.
