ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States Department of War have agreed to a new Service Level Agreement (SLA) regarding counter-terrorism operations in the North-West.
The New “Intel-Only” Rules
Under the fresh framework, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will now be the sole authority for conducting kinetic strikes (bombings and drone attacks) within Nigerian territory.
- The U.S. Role: Washington’s contribution has shifted exclusively to providing high-resolution Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data.
- Execution: U.S. Reaper drones and satellite assets will identify targets, but the “trigger” will be pulled by Nigerian commanders to ensure operations align with national security laws and minimize civilian risk.
Strategic Partnership & The Lakurawa Threat
The primary target of this collaboration is the Lakurawa group, an extremist insurgent group linked to IS-Sahel that has been terrorizing communities in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
- U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s cooperation, describing the partnership as a way to “deter and degrade” terrorists while respecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
- Abuja’s Stance: The National Security Adviser (NSA) confirmed that while the Christmas strikes were a “joint collaboration,” the future of the fight must be “Nigerian-led and U.S.-supported.”
The Aftermath of Christmas 2025
The shift comes after the December 25, 2025, airstrikes in Jabo and Tangaza, Sokoto, sparked a domestic debate over sovereignty. While the strikes reportedly decimated IS-Sahel camps, the unilateral nature of President Trump’s announcement caused unease in Abuja. This new agreement is seen as a “diplomatic correction” to ensure both nations remain on the same page.
