FG says Trump’s letter affirms Nigeria’s progress against terrorism
The Federal Government has described a letter from United States President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu as international recognition of Nigeria’s progress in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, saying it also signals stronger security cooperation between both countries.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, stated this during a live television interview in Abuja on Wednesday, where he said the letter acknowledged the efforts of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in tackling insecurity.
According to the minister, the communication goes beyond commendation, as it reflects Washington’s commitment to supporting Nigeria with improved intelligence sharing, training, equipment and other forms of security assistance to strengthen the country’s counter-terrorism operations.
“The letter we just got is in recognition of the giant strides we have made in tackling the menace of terrorism and insurgency in our country. This is not just a letter of commendation. It is a commitment to stand with Nigeria. It means our men and women in uniform will now have more skills, tools and intelligence to protect our homeland and secure our citizens,” Enikanolaiye said.
He said Nigeria had recorded significant gains in recent weeks, including the prosecution and conviction of suspected terrorists and bandits, the neutralisation of criminal elements, disruption of their communication networks and the rescue of abducted children in Oyo State. He attributed the successes to increased collaboration with the United States, improved intelligence exchange, capacity building and the political will demonstrated by President Tinubu.
Enikanolaiye disclosed that Nigeria was seeking deeper cooperation with the United States in intelligence gathering, equipment supply, modern technology, training and capacity building through the existing Joint Working Group on Nigeria as a Country of Concern, chaired by the National Security Adviser.
The minister also said the letter reflected President Trump’s response to earlier engagements and correspondence initiated by President Tinubu over the past two years, adding that both countries had entered what he described as a “new era of partnership” focused on addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
He assured Nigerians that the strengthened partnership would lead to more arrests and prosecutions of terrorists, greater operational capacity for security agencies and improved public confidence, while reiterating that the Tinubu administration remained committed to protecting all citizens and creating a safer environment for economic growth and national development.
