Turkey pledges support for Nigeria war against terrorism
Turkey has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and violent extremism following a recent attack in Kwara State that left civilians and security personnel dead. The pledge came during a call between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, in which both leaders condemned the assault and agreed on the urgency of enhanced cooperation against insurgent groups.
In the telephone conversation, President Erdoğan expressed solidarity with the Nigerian people and offered concrete support for efforts to strengthen security and intelligence capabilities. Turkish officials said the assistance could include training for Nigerian security forces, exchange of intelligence, and support for counterterrorism strategy development. Ankara also emphasised the importance of regional partnerships and the need for coordinated responses to cross-border threats, noting that violent extremism is a challenge not only for Nigeria but for many countries in Africa and beyond.
The attack in Kwara State, which occurred earlier this month, involved an assault on a community and its security outposts, leading to a number of casualties. While details of the incident are still emerging, government sources in Abuja confirmed that national defence forces are investigating and pursuing the perpetrators as part of ongoing operations to dismantle extremist cells operating in the region.
Nigeria’s presidency welcomed Turkey’s offer, stating that international cooperation is vital in achieving long-term stability and security. A presidential aide said the two countries share “common interests in peace and security” and that Nigeria values strategic partnerships that can help enhance its counterterrorism capabilities. Experts in Abuja noted that foreign collaboration, particularly in intelligence and training, could bolster domestic operations against insurgent groups, especially in areas with porous borders or complex terrain.
Analysts believe that the renewed pledge from Turkey reflects an expanding diplomatic relationship with Nigeria, including recent talks on trade, investment, and defence collaboration. Turkey’s support for Nigeria’s anti-terrorism efforts also underscores a broader international response to the growing threat posed by extremist networks in West Africa.
As both governments move forward with discussions on implementation, officials from Abuja and Ankara are expected to outline specific modalities for training programmes, intelligence sharing protocols, and other forms of assistance that could be deployed in the weeks ahead. The cooperative push comes amid calls within Nigeria for more decisive action against terrorism and greater engagement with international allies.
About the Author
