Congressman Riley Moor (R) has praised the administration of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for its “coordination and cooperation” with the United States in the fight against terrorist groups, including ISIS affiliates operating within Nigeria.
The commendation came during a Monday interview on NEWSMAX, where Rep. Moor addressed a recent statement issued by ISIS threatening Nigerian Christians.
“We will never back down from supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ, and I’m glad to see the Nigerian government is working in coordination and cooperation with @POTUS to defeat these radical Islamic terrorists,” Moor stated.
The congressman’s remarks highlight a period of intensified bilateral security efforts. This public acknowledgment from a U.S. lawmaker underscores a perceived strengthening of tactical and intelligence-sharing channels between the two nations following a significant escalation in operations.
The current phase of coordinated action traces its immediate catalyst to a U.S. military strike on December 25, 2023. Acting on verified intelligence by the Nigerian government, U.S. forces targeted and neutralised a key ISIS camp in the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, near the border with Niger Republic.
The operation was described by officials as a precise action against a high-value terrorist enclave.
In the wake of this cross-border strike, Nigerian military forces have launched a sustained and expansive counter-terrorism campaign across the northern region. Security analysts note a marked increase in the tempo and reach of operations aimed at capitalizing on the disruption caused by the U.S. action and preventing terrorist regrouping.
Since Christmas Day, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and ground troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have reported a series of successful engagements. Notably, airstrikes have targeted terrorist hideouts, logistics bases, and motorcycle convoys in parts of Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states. The military has announced the elimination of several high-profile terrorist commanders and dozens of fighters in these offensives.
Just this past week, the Defence Headquarters reported that troops, in a clearance operation in Zamfara State, overran a major enclave, recovering weapons, motorcycles, and communications equipment, while freeing kidnapped civilians. The military credits the recent successes to improved real-time intelligence and sustained kinetic pressure.
While the security situation remains complex and challenging, the synergy highlighted by Rep. Moor points to a strategic deepening of the U.S.-Nigeria security partnership. The Tinubu administration has consistently emphasized its commitment to multilateral cooperation as a cornerstone of its strategy to degrade terrorist networks and restore security in the nation’s most vulnerable regions.
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