The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as Washington and Abuja deepen security cooperation against terrorism and other threats in the region.
The equipment was transported by a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and delivered at locations in Lagos and Kainji.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the delivery in a statement on Thursday, saying the equipment was supplied under a Foreign Military Sales agreement between the two countries.
“Partnership in action: A US Air Force C-17 delivers equipment to the Nigerian Air Force this weekend,” AFRICOM said.
It added that the equipment “will aid in Nigeria’s efforts to counter terrorism in the region”.
AFRICOM did not disclose the type, quantity or value of the equipment.
The command said the support was provided at Nigeria’s invitation and would strengthen Nigerian-led counterterrorism operations while respecting the country’s sovereignty.
The delivery follows a recent review of the Nigeria-US security partnership in Washington.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu led a Nigerian delegation to the second session of the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group last month.
The discussions covered counterterrorism, intelligence sharing, terrorism financing, border security, protection of vulnerable communities and military-to-military cooperation.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meeting also reviewed the countries’ defence roadmap and outlined the next phase of security collaboration.
The latest military support comes amid increased US-Nigeria counterterrorism cooperation.
In May, AFRICOM, working with the Nigerian government, conducted an operation against ISIS in north-eastern Nigeria that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom AFRICOM described as the group’s director of global operations, along with other senior ISIS leaders.
AFRICOM later carried out additional strikes against ISIS targets in north-eastern Nigeria in coordination with Abuja.
The expanding cooperation follows tensions between the two countries over security and religious freedom last year.
Despite differences over how Nigeria’s insecurity should be characterised, Washington and Abuja have continued to strengthen their security relationship.
The partnership increasingly focuses on Nigerian-led counterterrorism operations supported by US intelligence, training, specialised capabilities and military equipment.
