Trump lauds President Tinubu’s decisive leadership against terrorists

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has commended Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for his "decisive leadership" in confronting terrorism and addressing the nation's security challenges.

In a letter addressed to President Tinubu, Trump specifically applauded the Nigerian leader's commitment to tackling issues plaguing the country, with a particular mention of the violence impacting Christian communities. "It is a true honor to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous," Trump stated, underscoring a shared goal of confronting terrorism.

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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 honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.

The relationship between the United States and Nigeria has seen significant growth in security cooperation. This collaboration includes the establishment of a Joint Working Group, co-headed by the National Security Advisers of both nations. This group has facilitated several steps, such as training, intelligence sharing, and joint operations aimed at curbing terrorist activities.

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The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where 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.

A notable outcome of this partnership was a coordinated attack on ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area on May 16, which resulted in the elimination of the group's top leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several of his lieutenants. The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, also recently visited Abuja to reinforce cooperation in security and other areas.

Trump's letter, dated July 6, 2026, also referenced the "historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap" and expressed pride in deploying U.S. Special Operations Forces to equip Nigeria's armed forces. He emphasized the crucial nature of the U.S.-Nigeria relationship amid spreading conflict in West Africa and globally.

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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.