Terrorism: Trump pledges stronger US support for Tinubu

…assures of deeper defence cooperation under 2026 roadmap

By Ismail Azeez

United States President Donald Trump has commended President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, reaffirming America’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen national security.

The assurance was conveyed in a letter sent to President Tinubu in response to an earlier correspondence from the Nigerian leader. In the letter, Trump expressed appreciation for Tinubu’s message and praised his determination to confront the country’s security challenges.

The US President said he looked forward to sustained engagement with President Tinubu throughout his administration to deepen bilateral relations and reinforce cooperation in addressing terrorism and other shared security concerns.

According to Trump, “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 when conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world. We both share a common 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 objective.

“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 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 throughout my Presidency.”