Trump Commends Tinubu’s Anti-Terror Campaign, Confirms Deployment of Elite US Forces to Nigeria

United States President Donald Trump has praised President Bola Tinubu for his handling of Nigeria’s security challenges, describing his leadership as decisive while confirming that elite American military personnel have been deployed to support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

The disclosure was contained in a letter sent by Trump to Tinubu and made public on Wednesday by the Presidency through a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the Presidency, the correspondence, dated July 6, 2026, highlights growing military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States under the 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap.

In the letter, Trump commended Tinubu’s leadership and reaffirmed America’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism.

“Dear Mr President, Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people.”

He further applauded Tinubu’s determination to address insecurity across the country.

“I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, and it is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.”

The American President also described relations between both countries as increasingly important in view of the security challenges confronting West Africa.

“The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time when conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world.”

Trump said both governments share a common objective of defeating terrorism and noted that the defence partnership signed in 2026 provides a framework for deeper security cooperation.

“We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat.”

He also disclosed that the United States had deployed some of its most highly trained military personnel to assist Nigerian forces with training, intelligence and operational support.

“I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces, among the most elite military units anywhere in the world, to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack. I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency.”

The letter marks the first public confirmation by Trump that the expanded American military presence in Nigeria is directly linked to the bilateral security partnership established between both countries.

The 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap grew out of a Joint Working Group created by Nigeria and the United States in November 2025 and jointly led by the National Security Advisers of both countries.

The partnership has focused on intelligence sharing, specialised military training and coordinated counterterrorism operations.

One of its most significant operations reportedly took place on May 16, 2026, when Nigerian troops, supported by members of the US Navy SEAL Team 6, carried out a joint assault in the Lake Chad Basin that reportedly resulted in the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), along with about 40 of his lieutenants.

The Defence Headquarters subsequently announced on May 19 that about 175 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters had been eliminated since the commencement of the joint operations.

The Presidency also disclosed that the United States continues to deepen its engagement with Nigeria beyond military cooperation.

According to Onanuga, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja last week, where he held discussions with senior Nigerian officials and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in security and other strategic areas.

American support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations had previously centred on intelligence sharing, sanctions against terrorist groups and capacity-building initiatives before expanding into direct military collaboration.

Nigeria has battled insurgency for more than a decade, with Boko Haram’s declaration of a caliphate in 2014 and the subsequent emergence of ISWAP intensifying the conflict, particularly across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

President Tinubu declared a national security emergency in November 2025 following a resurgence of attacks across parts of the country.

That declaration came shortly after President Trump designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” on October 31, 2025, citing what he described as the killing and persecution of Christians.

The Nigerian Government has consistently rejected allegations that Christians are being specifically targeted, maintaining that victims of attacks by Boko Haram, ISWAP and armed bandits include both Christians and Muslims.