The US military is increasing support to Nigeria through materiel deliveries, intelligence sharing, and operational guidance, Lieutenant General John Brennan, AFRICOM’s deputy commander.

Speaking after a US-Nigeria Joint Working Group meeting in Abuja, Brennan said the effort is part of a broader push by Washington to work with African militaries to target Islamic State-affiliated groups, including ISWAP in northeastern Nigeria.

He added that US support would focus on enabling Nigerian forces with equipment, intelligence, and tactical guidance to enhance airstrikes and operations against militants in the northeast and northwestern Sokoto state, while stressing that intelligence would not be limited to protecting any particular religious group.

Brennan also said the US maintains communication with militaries in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali despite the political instability in the Sahel, though long-term bases are not planned.

The cooperation follows recent US strikes on IS-linked targets in northwest Nigeria and comes amid ongoing diplomatic pressure from Washington regarding jihadist violence. Nigerian officials described the impact of the strikes as still a work in progress, while analysts have questioned whether air support alone can sufficiently curb armed groups that thrive in rural areas affected by poverty and weak governance.