Dagvin Anderson, commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), says the number of ISIS members defecting in Nigeria has increased by more than 200 percent since a joint operation by Nigerian and US forces in May.
According to THISDAY, Anderson spoke on Monday on the sidelines of the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos.
He attributed the increase to the impact of the operation against a senior ISIS figure and subsequent military operations by Nigerian forces.
He said the US continues to cooperate with Nigerian security forces, providing intelligence, specialised capabilities and training.
“The partnership with the Nigerian Armed Forces and Nigerian intelligence was exceptional, and that’s what really enabled that partnership to happen and to take out the number two terrorist in the world for ISIS,” Anderson said.
“Some of it is intelligence, but also understanding of the terrorist network globally. And so Nigeria brings the regional and local understanding, while we bring the global network understanding, and together that becomes very powerful.”
Anderson said military assistance alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, including terrorism and kidnapping, adding that investment in governance and development are important.
On the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS, Anderson said the US is seeking to reopen dialogue with the three countries to strengthen security cooperation.
He also identified terrorist financing, piracy, smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal fishing as major security concerns.
Anderson said the increase in ISIS defections, alongside reductions in attacks and violence, indicate progress. He also commended Nigeria’s programme to reintegrate defectors into society.
“How do you take the growing youth population and channel that energy for a positive effort? And to me, that’s what we all need to work on, but it has to be done locally,” he said.
In May, US and Nigerian forces conducted military operations in north-eastern Nigeria that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS globally.
In June, AFRICOM announced that it had withdrawn most of its troops deployed for the operation but will continue to provide intelligence support to Nigeria.
