Retired Nigerian Colonel calls for deepened partnership with US to combat escalating Boko Haram threat
A retired Nigerian military officer, Col S. Umaru (rtd), has urged the federal government to deepen security cooperation with the United States to defeat Boko Haram and other militant groups amid a surge in violence that has claimed more lives in recent months.
In a statement, the former military officer cited figures from the National Human Rights Commission showing that more people were killed by insurgents and bandits in the first half of 2025 than in the entire year of 2024, with violence including killings, destruction, and kidnappings becoming increasingly commonplace.
The retired colonel praised the courage and commitment of Nigeria’s military and security forces, who he said are fighting on the front lines and bearing a heavy burden. However, he contended that the current threat requires additional support beyond national capabilities alone.
He said a deepened military partnership with the US was needed to destroy the militants whom he described as heavily armed, well-financed, and capable of moving weapons, personnel, and materials across borders.
Umaru emphasized that US assistance could make a critical difference, pointing to the US military’s global reach, experience in countering insurgencies across Africa, and track record of partnering with governments to protect civilians.
He said: “As the threat of violence brought by Boko Haram and other militant groups continues to escalate, it is vital that we do all we can to support our military and security forces. Partnering with the United States we can defeat these groups who seek to destroy lives, livelihoods and our way of life.
“Every day brings more reports of violence and destruction caused by terrorist groups operating primarily out of the north of our country. While groups such as Boko Haram and other insurgencies have posed a long-standing threat, they have escalated their attacks across the country since the start of the year. According to the National Human Rights Commission, more people were killed by insurgents in the first half of this year than in all of 2024. The scale of violence, death, destruction and kidnappings taking place across this country have become commonplace.
“Propaganda from groups such as Boko Haram and other militants attempt to position themselves as on the side of ordinary people, yet their actions and their attacks clearly demonstrate that these groups only care about themselves. As Nigeria seeks to build a modern economy rooted in Nigerian values, these groups seek to undermine our progress, destroy our families and overthrow our very way of life. Left unchecked, these terrorist groups will continue to wage their vicious and indiscriminate campaign of violence and destruction, the victims of which will be the ordinary people they claim to represent.
“Our miliary and security forces have shown remarkable courage, bravery and commitment in tackling the rising threat from these groups. Miliary and security forces are fighting on the front lines to protect Nigeria and have shown they will not rest until these groups are defeated.
“Yet the threat we face is different from before. These militant groups are heavily armed, well financed and can move weapons, people and material across the country. While Nigeria is facing its gravest security threat in decades, it is vital that we ensure we are doing all we can to defeat these groups.
“US support is critical to support our brave military and security forces. US support can and will make a critical difference in destroying these groups. The US miliary is the most formidable in the world, with a long track record across Africa of fighting with partner governments to destroy insurgencies that threaten ordinary people’s lives and livelihoods.
“The US recognises that the challenge posed by terrorist groups is not a challenge simply facing Nigeria but a transnational challenge that spreads across the world. In a world increasingly defined by global interconnectedness, the security of Lagos or Abuja is no less important than that of Washington or Paris. What happens in the region affects migration, trade, public health, and regional stability far beyond its borders’.
“Unlike some global actors who offer military help without conditions, the U.S. brings more than training and technology, it emphasises professionalism, civilian oversight, and respect for human rights. This approach is one that epitomises trust and ensures that we uphold the rule of law.
“Working together we can defeat these groups, Nigeria military and security forces have borne a huge burden and paid high prices already, working together with the US we can ensure that end 2025 by taking the fight to these military groups that seek to destroy Nigeria.”
