The U.S. has reaffirmed its counterterrorism partnership with Nigeria, citing recent joint operations that dealt a major blow to the Islamic State terrorist network. U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio disclosed this while speaking about U.S. foreign policy and international security cooperation.

Mr Rubio stated that American and Nigerian security agencies recently collaborated in an operation that eliminated a senior global ISIS leader operating from within Nigeria. According to him, concerns previously expressed by some groups regarding violence affecting Christian communities in Nigeria have strengthened security engagement between both countries.

“On Nigeria, where many were very concerned about violence against Christians, we are now actively in counterterrorism cooperation with the Nigerian government and Nigerian security forces,” Mr Rubio said.

He also mentioned that the partnership had already produced tangible results in the fight against terrorism. He explained that the partnership included “a joint operation a couple of weeks ago that took out the number two leader of global ISIS, operating from inside of the country, and that continues”.

(NAN)