By DECAN
Nigeria and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence cooperation, intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism efforts.
The Defence Ministry disclosed this in a statement by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Adviser (Media) to the Defence Minister, on Thursday in Abuja.
The development followed high-level bilateral engagements by the Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, with U.S. authorities in Washington, D.C.
Musa was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt.-Gen. Emmanuel Udiandeye; and Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele.
The Nigerian delegation held talks with senior officials of the U.S. Department of War led by Julia Sokol, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for International Security Affairs.
The ministry said the talks focused on intelligence collaboration, shared security architecture and operational cooperation between both countries.
The engagements formed part of the second meeting of the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group, held from Aug. 12 to 13.
The meeting was co-chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Allison Hooker, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.
The ministry said both sides reviewed progress and strategic frameworks following Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
It said Nigeria and the U.S. reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue, mutual respect and strategic partnership in tackling regional and global security threats.