…Applauds President’s resolve to tackle nation’s challenges …As US pledge to nullify jihadists’ threats in Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, others …OPHK drone strikes kill over 20 ISWAP fighters, chief photographer, destroy logistics hub in Southern Lake Chad By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Nkiruka Nnorom & Ndahi Marama ABUJA — US President, Donald Trump, has written his Nigerian counterpart, Bola Tinubu, vowing to stand with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism. He also commended Tinubu’s resolve to tackle issues plaguing Nigeria, especially the violence affecting Christian communities, saying it is an honour to stand with his administration in the fight against terrorists. Trump’s letter came as his government said jihadist terrorist groups have remained a danger to global peace and security, despite effective campaigns, but vowed to sustain counter-terrorism efforts through diplomacy, financial action and military cooperation with partners, especially in Nigeria, Somalia and Syria, among others. In the letter dated July 6, 2026, Trump said US–Nigeria relationship had flourished in recent times, with the two sides working closely in key areas, particularly in tackling security challenges afflicting parts of Nigeria. He applauded Tinubu’s resolve to tackle the problems confronting the country, especially the violence affecting Christian communities. Trump said it is a true honour to stand with Tinubu in the fight against terrorists and to help make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous. The letter read: “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. “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 United States–Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. “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. “I am proud to have deployed United States Special Operations Forces, among the most elite military units anywhere in the world, to equip the brave men and women of 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.” Recall that in November last year, Trump and Tinubu agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-chaired by the national security advisers of Nigeria and the United States. Through the work of the group, the two sides agreed several steps, including training, intelligence-sharing and joint operations to roll back terrorist activities. A highlight of the collaboration was the coordinated May 16 attack on ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area, which led to the killing of the group’s top leader, Abubakar Al-Minuki, and many of his lieutenants.Last week, US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja, met senior government officials and pledged to strengthen cooperation between Abuja and Washington, DC, in security and other areas. US reaffirms vigilance against jihadist threats in Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, others Also, the United States has said jihadist terrorist groups have remained a danger to global peace and security, despite effective campaigns but vowed to sustain counter-terrorism efforts through diplomacy, financial action and military cooperation with partners, including Nigeria. Ambassador Gregory D. LoGerfo, Coordinator and Ambassador-at-Large for Counter-terrorism at the U.S Department of State, stated this in a statement on the outcome of a ministerial meeting on resurgence of political terrorism convened by Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, in Washington. The ministerial meeting, which held last week at the State Department, had delegations from 66 countries in attendance. It focused on what officials described as a resurgent threat from far-left political terrorism, alongside continued risks posed by narco-terrorists and Islamic jihadist groups. LoGerfo, who assured that Washington is currently addressing these three major terrorism threats, said: “For all three, we need to identify terror actors and plots before they happen.” Citing actions against Islamic jihadist groups in Nigeria, Somalia, Syria and the Middle East region, he said the sustained action is driven by the September 11 attacks an
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