US and Nigeria Team Up Against Terrorism, Says Rubio

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says America is now working closely with Nigeria to fight terrorism. This partnership is part of ongoing operations to improve security in the country.

Rubio made these statements on Tuesday during a Senate hearing about the State Department's budget for the 2027 fiscal year. He highlighted recent successes, including the killing of Abubakar Mainok, known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, a key commander for the Islamic State.

He stated, “We are now actively in counterterrorism cooperation with the Nigerian government and Nigerian security forces.”

Rubio explained that these operations are aimed at addressing “violence against Christians” in Nigeria.

US Secretary of War, Pete Hegeseth, previously mentioned that the military actions in Nigeria follow President Donald Trump’s order to protect Nigerian Christians targeted by ISIS. He claimed that this directive led to the death of the Islamic State commander, who was the second-ranking ISIS member in Nigeria and responsible for attacks on Christians and threats to the US.

Hegeseth claimed that more than 100 other ISIS fighters in the North-east have been killed by US Africa Command, all thanks to Trump’s strong commitment to safeguard Christians.

Trump had earlier called the military operation a “meticulously planned and very complex mission” that was done in partnership with Nigeria.

Rubio shared on X, as posted by the Department of State, that concerns about attacks on Christian communities have strengthened cooperation between Nigeria and the US. He added that the US will keep working with Nigeria’s government and security forces on counterterrorism.

But PREMIUM TIMES reported that Al-Minuki operated in the North-east and Lake Chad, areas where indiscriminate attacks occur, affecting many Muslims as well.

He was killed on an island in Lake Chad, far from the regions that the US identified last year as hotspots for anti-Christian attacks.

In 2025, during a time of tension, US officials like Riley Moore, Ted Cruz, and Chris Smith, along with Christian advocacy groups, portrayed the violence in Nigeria as an anti-Christian campaign, especially in North-central areas like Benue and Plateau states. This led to Nigeria being designated as a Country of Particular Concern.

The violence in the North-east and on Lake Chad island, where the Islamic State leader was reported killed, is not part of a planned effort to wipe out Christians, as claimed by the US.

The relationship between the US and Nigeria, once marked by conflict, has shifted to a security partnership. This change came after several diplomatic visits, high-level meetings, and the creation of a working group led by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and US Under Secretary of State, Allison Hooker.

In January, the US and Nigeria launched the 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap. Just three weeks ago, they introduced the Defence Institutional Technical Working Groups (DITWGs) to enhance military collaboration.

US military support for Nigeria also includes sending around 200 troops and deploying MQ-9 surveillance drones.