The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the United States have strengthened ongoing security and defence cooperation aimed at improving counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria.
The development followed a meeting between the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, and Major General Miguel Castellanos (Rtd), leader of the Defence Security Cooperation University (DSCU) Nigeria Programme, during an official visit to the Headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force in Abuja.
According to the NAF, discussions during the meeting focused on institutional capacity building, operational effectiveness, Air-Ground Integration, Joint Tactical Air Control, and Civilian Harm Mitigation initiatives designed to improve mission coordination and civilian protection during military operations.
Air Marshal Aneke described the Nigeria-United States defence relationship as a valuable strategic partnership that continues to strengthen the operational capacity and institutional development of the Nigerian Air Force in addressing contemporary security threats.
He added that sustained collaboration between both countries remains critical to promoting peace, national stability, and socio-economic development amid ongoing security challenges across Nigeria.
In his remarks, Major General Castellanos reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to supporting Nigeria’s defence and security capacity-building efforts, while also commending the professionalism of the Nigerian Air Force and its commitment to civilian harm mitigation during operations.
The meeting further highlighted the growing bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in tackling terrorism, insurgency, and other regional security threats.
