The United States military has announced plans to increase the delivery of military equipment and intelligence support to Nigeria as part of a broader strategy to counter Islamic State (IS)-linked militant groups across Africa.
The disclosure was made by the Deputy Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Lt.-Gen. John Brennan, during an interview with AFP on the sidelines of a recent US–Nigeria security meeting held in Abuja.
According to Brennan, Washington has adopted a more aggressive posture under the current US administration in targeting IS-linked groups operating across the continent. He noted that militant activities from Somalia to Nigeria are interconnected, requiring coordinated military and intelligence responses.
He explained that the United States is prioritising the empowerment of its African partners by providing operational capabilities, equipment, and intelligence with fewer restrictions to enhance effectiveness on the battlefield.
The renewed cooperation follows the inaugural US–Nigeria Joint Working Group meeting and comes weeks after US forces carried out surprise air strikes on IS-linked targets in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day.
Brennan stated that future American support would focus heavily on intelligence sharing to strengthen Nigerian air operations in both the northwest and northeast regions, where Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have continued insurgent activities since 2009. He described ISWAP as the most concerning militant group in the region.
The collaboration also unfolds amid diplomatic pressure from Washington over allegations of mass killings of Christians in Nigeria. Nigerian authorities and independent analysts have pushed back against this narrative, maintaining that insecurity in the country affects communities across religious and ethnic lines.
While the issue was raised during the Joint Working Group meeting, Brennan clarified that US intelligence assistance would not be limited to the protection of any single religious group.
Analysts have observed increased US intelligence flights over Nigerian airspace in recent months but have questioned whether air power alone can significantly weaken militant groups operating in regions marked by poverty and limited state presence.
Brennan also expressed concern over the expansion of IS-linked groups from the Sahel into coastal West African countries, including Nigeria, describing the trend as a growing regional threat.
He further revealed that the US continues to maintain informal communication with the militaries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger despite the suspension of formal cooperation due to military rule in those countries.
However, Brennan emphasised that Washington has no plans to establish new military bases in West Africa following the closure of its drone facility in Agadez, Niger, stating that the focus remains on timely support rather than long-term military presence.
