The United States government has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its relentless commitment and significant contributions to the fight against terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
A United States delegation, led by the Acting Principal Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the Bureau of Counterterrorism, Jessica Long, gave the commendation during a high-level meeting at NAF headquarters in Abuja,
A statement by the Deputy NAF spokesman, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, said the delegation, which was received by the Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, discussed strategies to strengthen security cooperation, enhance intelligence sharing, and bolster counter-terrorism efforts between both nations.
Long, in her remarks commended the Nigerian government and its Armed Forces for their steadfast commitment to combating terrorism.
She acknowledged the recent successes of the Nigerian military in disrupting terrorist networks and praised their adoption of innovative, intelligence-driven tactics that have proven effective in neutralising insurgent threats.
She noted that the efforts have not only helped secure strategic regions within Nigeria but have also contributed to the overall stability of the area.
She reiterated the United States’ continued support for the NAF’s counter-terrorism initiatives and emphasised the critical role of international collaboration in addressing evolving security threats.
She further highlighted the importance of advancing purposeful lethality through precision-driven operations, ensuring that NAF’s efforts remained both effective and strategically impactful.
The statement said the discussions also explored avenues for intelligence sharing, capacity building, and operational support to enhance NAF’s effectiveness in combating insurgency and terrorism.
In his remarks, AVM Daramola expressed appreciation for the US delegation’s visit and reaffirmed the NAF’s unwavering resolve to ensure national security and protect civilians during military operations.
He highlighted the advancements made within the NAF Civil-Military Relations Branch, particularly in fostering community trust and minimising collateral damage.
Additionally, he called for increased cooperation in areas such as specialised training and technology transfer, to further strengthen Nigeria’s counter-terrorism capabilities.
