The number of Islamic State (ISIS) members defecting in Nigeria has risen by more than 200 per cent since a joint military operation by Nigerian and United States forces in May, the US Africa Command chief, General Dagvin Anderson, has said.
Anderson attributed the increase to the operation against a senior ISIS figure and subsequent military actions by Nigerian forces, saying the trend suggested that some members of the group were reconsidering their involvement.
He disclosed this on Monday on the sidelines of the Africa International Defence Exhibition in Lagos.
In May, Nigerian and US forces conducted an operation in north-eastern Nigeria that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom Anderson described as the second-highest-ranking figure in ISIS globally.
He praised cooperation between the Nigerian Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and the US, saying the partnership had helped facilitate the operation.
Anderson said the US continued to support Nigerian security forces with intelligence, specialised capabilities and training, while Nigeria contributed its understanding of local and regional security networks.
He added that the US had provided training in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting, and would consider further requests for specialised assistance.
However, the AFRICOM commander said military operations alone would not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, including terrorism and kidnapping.
He called for greater investment in governance, education, economic development and opportunities for young people, arguing that sustainable livelihoods could help address factors that make some people vulnerable to recruitment by terrorist groups.
Anderson also identified terrorist financing as a major security concern, saying cooperation between the two countries could combine US global intelligence and cyber capabilities with Nigeria’s knowledge of local financial networks.
On regional security, he said Washington was seeking to reopen dialogue with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger following their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States.
He said renewed engagement with the three Sahel countries could improve intelligence sharing and training to tackle common security threats.
Anderson further identified piracy, smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal fishing as major concerns in West African waters. He said the US had supported maritime operations centres, radar systems and other technologies to improve surveillance in the Gulf of Guinea.
Assessing the impact of ongoing operations, he cited the reported increase in ISIS defections, alongside reductions in attacks and violence, as signs of progress. He also commended Nigeria’s programme for reintegrating former militants into society.
The US announced in June that it had withdrawn most of the troops deployed for the May operation but would continue providing intelligence support to Nigeria.
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