The United States has increased its counterterrorism cooperation with Nigeria, including joint military operations against Islamic State (IS) militants operating in the country, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said.
Speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington on Wednesday, Mr Rubio said the US and Nigerian security forces were working closely together to combat terrorism and extremist violence.
He said recent operations had achieved significant results, including the killing of a senior Islamic State leader.
“We are now actively in counterterrorism cooperation with the Nigerian government and Nigerian security forces,” Mr Rubio told lawmakers. “A joint operation a couple of weeks ago took out the number two leader of global ISIS operating from inside the country.”
The militant leader, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, was killed on 15 May during a joint US-Nigerian military operation in the Lake Chad Basin, according to both governments.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth described Al-Minuki as one of the key figures responsible for attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu had confirmed the operation and said several of the militant leader’s associates were also killed. He welcomed the development and expressed support for further operations against extremist groups.
The Lake Chad region, which borders Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, has long been a stronghold for Islamist militant groups, including Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram.
Military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States has continued in recent weeks. Nigerian defence officials reported that more than 20 ISWAP fighters were killed in air strikes carried out jointly by both countries in Borno State shortly after Al-Minuki’s death.
On 1 June, another joint operation involving the Nigerian military and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) reportedly killed 21 ISWAP fighters in the Arege area of Kukawa Local Government Area in Borno State.
Mr Rubio’s comments come amid growing international concern over insecurity in parts of Nigeria, including attacks by extremist groups and violence affecting both Christian and Muslim communities.
The US government says it remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism and improve regional security.