Rubio Confirms Continued US-Nigeria Terror Cooperation After ISIS Kill

WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that counterterrorism cooperation between the United States and Nigeria will continue at a high level following the joint operation that killed ISIS global number two Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in the Lake Chad basin. Punch Newspapers confirmed Rubio’s statement on Wednesday.

Rubio said the al-Minuki operation demonstrated what is possible when US intelligence capabilities are combined with Nigeria’s local knowledge and military presence. He said the operation should serve as a model for future cooperative security actions across West Africa where terrorist networks continue to threaten both Nigerian and American interests.

The Secretary of State said the United States views Nigeria as a critical security partner in West Africa. He acknowledged the enormous challenge Nigeria faces managing multiple simultaneous security threats including JAS, ISWAP, Lakurawa, and domestic banditry. He said American support will continue through intelligence sharing, training, and the joint operations framework.

The Partnership’s Track Record

The Nigeria-US security partnership has delivered tangible results in 2026. Beyond the al-Minuki killing, American intelligence support has assisted NDLEA in disrupting major drug trafficking networks including the Ogun State meth laboratory. US military trainers have been working with Nigerian forces in the northeast since early 2026.

However, civil society groups in both countries have raised questions about the scope and oversight of the security partnership. They said joint operations must comply with international human rights standards and that accountability mechanisms must be in place for any operation that results in deaths.

The Nigerian government has consistently praised the partnership. President Tinubu thanked Rubio for the reaffirmation and said Nigeria will continue to prioritise its security relationship with the United States as a cornerstone of its foreign policy. He said safe and secure communities in Nigeria are in the interest of both countries.