…Mission: to obliterate and neutralize the activities of terrorists, kidnappers, militants
*U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Congressmen meets Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to discuss activation of counter-terrorism offensive against terrorists
*Under U.S. Africa Command, Nigerian Army elite unit, 198 SF BN counters Boko Haram in Northeast, other Regions
*France, U.K, U.S jointly deploy GLF5 ISR N529RL, a modified Gulfstream V (G5), military intelligence, powerful, long-range Intelligence, Surveillance jets for extended missions over bandits’ zone in Nigeria, collecting vital intel using specialized sensors
*“Elon Musk’s Starlink space internet frustrating easy detection of terrorists’ movement in Nigeria. If you are using Starlink, we cannot trace it because Starlink is not registered in Nigeria. It’s in the space. Terrorists most of the time are using cellular services from neighbouring countries, not Nigeria”– Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Communication
*“Our discussions focused on counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability, and efforts to strengthen the Nigeria–U.S. strategic security partnership. The United States, France and the United Kingdom already providing technical support to ongoing security operations”–RIBADU, National Security Adviser
*BY HASSAN HASSAN, NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT, ABUJA/ Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA/KELANI ADEDAYO/WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT/Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA & KWEKU JOSEPH, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT, ACCRA, GHANA/Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA
THE END OF THE ROAD seems to have come a full circle for bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and militants that have been operating in the Northeast, and some Southwestern areas of Africa’s most populous black nation. A combined team of professional elite army units from the international community: France, United States (U.S), and the United Kingdom (U.K) have drawn the battle line to obliterate and completely neutralize the activities of those criminal elements, once and for all. The United States Africa Command, AFRICOM ably supported by the Nigerian Army elite unit, 198 SF BN have championed the mission to counter Boko Haram in Northeast, other regions in the country. The Nigerian Army elite unit have played a critical role in fighting terrorists in Northeast and beyond.
Taking the lead on this special mission, are the prestigious United States Special Forces, otherwise called ‘Green Beret’, being military legends for service members and civilians alike. They take on terrorists through quiet, guerilla war-style missions in foreign countries. Green Beret teams operate in any environment, from city fighting to jungle warfare to desert scouting.
Security sources in the Washington DC team confided in our reporters that a few days before the Congressional delegation arrived in Abuja, the ‘Green Beret’ squad were already inside Nigeria and have already taken positions as undercovers, while unmanned SPY Fighter Plane F-35 occupy Airspace in Kwara, Ekiti, Sokoto States tracing the movement of the terrorists or any living objects inside the thick forest.
The ‘Green Beret’ mission is to obliterate and flush out the activities of terrorists, kidnappers, militants in Nigeria.
*Why the F-35 Fighter Jet?
A military source told Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA that the F-35 is the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in production today, giving pilots an advantage against any adversary and enabling them to execute their mission and come home safe.
In a bid not to permit any escape route for those terrorists, the U.S., U.K, and France jointly deployed GLF5 ISR N529RL, a modified Gulfstream V (G5) business jet, operated by Tenax Aerospace for the U.S. military/intelligence community, serving as a powerful, long-range Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, known for rapid deployment and extended missions over conflict zones like Nigeria, collecting vital intel using specialized sensors.
*NSA, US congressional delegation, hold security talks in Abuja:
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Sunday hosted a United States Congressional delegation in Abuja as part of ongoing security consultations between both countries.
A U.S. lawmaker, Riley Moore, who is among the delegates, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “I came to Nigeria in the name of the Lord and on behalf of the American people.
“Just ending a very productive visit to Nigeria and rounds of meetings. More details to come. Happy Sunday. God is Great!”
Ribadu, in a message shared on his X handle, said the visit followed earlier talks held in Washington, DC, centered on mutual security interests.
His words: “This morning, I received a US Congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, following our earlier engagements in Washington, DC, on shared security priorities”.
He added, “The delegation included Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, Rep. Norma Torres, Rep. Scott Franklin, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, and Rep. Riley M. Moore.
“U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Richard Mills, also attended, reflecting the importance both nations attach to this engagement.”
Ribadu said discussions focused on counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability, and efforts to strengthen the Nigeria–U.S. strategic security partnership.
“I’m optimistic this engagement will deepen trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to peace and security,” he added.
According to Ribadu, discussions during the meeting focused on “counter-terrorism cooperation, regional stability,” and ways to “strengthen the strategic security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.”
The meeting comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions after United States President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom violations, a move accompanied by threats of possible US military intervention.
The Federal Government has repeatedly dismissed claims of systemic Christian persecution, maintaining that insecurity affects citizens of all religious backgrounds.
As pressure mounts, the FG has continued seeking diplomatic and security support from global partners.
On November 20, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted the NSA at the Pentagon for discussions on coordinated strategies to address the crisis.
The visit comes as the U.S. Congress intensifies scrutiny of worsening insecurity in Nigeria, particularly attacks on Christian communities in the North and other parts of the country.
Over the past months, several American lawmakers, including members of the House Appropriations Committee and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), have publicly accused the Nigerian government of failing to stop what they describe as a “genocidal campaign” by extremist groups and armed militias.
It was earlier reported that the U.S. House Appropriations Committee warned that Nigeria was “rapidly becoming one of the most dangerous places on Earth to follow Christ,” vowing to push for stronger diplomatic action and conditioning of security assistance.
Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Intersociety, and Open Doors have also documented mass killings, abductions, and village burnings carried out by armed groups, with thousands of civilians killed annually.
While the Nigerian government rejects the genocide characterization, insisting that the violence is driven by banditry, terrorism, and resource conflict rather than religion, the President Donald Trump administration recently designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), as pressure continues to mount internationally.
The presence of multiple U.S. Representatives, including Republican and Democratic lawmakers, signals bipartisanship in Washington’s concerns.
Rep. Riley Moore, one of the visiting members, has been particularly vocal about religious persecution in Nigeria, urging U.S. officials to reassess military aid and expand oversight of how American security assistance is used.
*Terrorism: US, France, UK backing Nigeria with technical support, says Nuhu Ribadu:
Ribadu, yesterday disclosed that the international community was standing firmly with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, with the United States, France and the United Kingdom already providing technical support to ongoing security operations.
Naija Standard Newspaper Inc USA can assuredly tell you that a major part of the security support is highly intelligence data sharing in code, deployments of the fighter and spy planes to target the terrorists and neutralize their activities.
Ribadu spoke in Kontagora, Niger State, during a visit to the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Northern Region, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, alongside distraught parents of pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School, Papiri.
He said President Bola Tinubu was deeply troubled by the incident and had directed security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to ensure the safe return of the abducted children.
Speaking to Christian leaders and parents who gathered at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Ribadu said: “This is a painful period for all of us, but I want to assure you: we will rescue your children. The President is deeply concerned and has directed that everything necessary must be done.”
The NSA, accompanied by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bernard Doro; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi; and CAN Northern Region Chairman, Joseph Hayab, said operations had been intensified to secure the children’s release.
He conveyed President Tinubu’s message of solidarity and resolve, noting that the President had suspended official engagements, including a scheduled trip, to focus on the matter.
Ribadu added that the Federal Government was taking full responsibility for restoring security in the affected communities.
He commended Bishop Yohanna for his leadership and calmness in a period of deep anxiety, assuring that Nigeria was not alone in the battle against terror.
“The whole world stands with us. This evil will not prevail. Your children will come back safely. That is our solemn promise,” he said.
Ribadu stressed that rescue operations would not slow down until the pupils were safely reunited with their families.
Earlier, Bishop Yohanna expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the visit, saying it had renewed hope among families traumatized by the attack. He noted that the show of support demonstrated the government’s commitment to protecting citizens.
Sources close to the NSA said a brief closed-door meeting followed the public session, during which church authorities submitted their report on the incident
Representatives of the school and parents also provided accounts of how the abduction occurred and the emotional toll it had taken on the community.
*Elon Musk’s Starlink Space Internet Frustrating Tracking of Terrorists’ Hideouts in Nigeria:
Without mincing word, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has said that security agencies are unable to track down terrorists branding weapons and loads of ransom collected in cash on social media because they use Elon Musk’s Starlink and other internet services from neighbouring countries.
Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, disclosed this in an interview with a radio station, Nigeria Info, a few days ago, when asked why Nigerian security agencies were swift to track down, arrest and detain government critics but have failed to do the same with terrorists boasting and flaunting ransom on social media.
“Let me give you one scenario: There is a regulatory body in Nigeria that has a database of Nigerian people. There is also a body that deals with internet service provision, where if you are using an internet service that is covered within the sphere of Nigeria, we can trace wherever you are through your IP address.
“If you are using Starlink, we cannot trace it because Starlink is not registered in Nigeria. It’s in the space.”
Starlink prides itself as the “world’s most advanced satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet”.
The presidential spokesperson stated that the terrorists “most of the time are using cellular services from neighbouring countries, not Nigeria. So, it becomes tricky”.
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