The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has commended the United States government for facilitating the deployment of American security personnel to Nigeria to support counterterrorism operations, describing the move as a timely intervention in the country’s battle against violent extremism.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the pro-democracy and civil rights group said the presence of U.S. forces would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to confront terrorist groups responsible for widespread killings across several parts of the country.
HURIWA noted that the U.S. Africa Command had confirmed the deployment of a small team of American forces to Nigeria, a development earlier reported by Reuters on Tuesday, February 3.
According to the report, the deployment followed a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and the United States aimed at improving cooperation against terrorist threats in West Africa.
The report added that the team brings “unique capabilities from the United States” to support Nigerian security operations.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has also confirmed the presence of the American team, although he declined to disclose operational details.
Reuters further reported that the deployment came amid pressure from Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump previously accusing Nigeria of failing to adequately protect Christians from Islamist militants operating in parts of the country.
While applauding the development, HURIWA cautioned Nigerian authorities to safeguard the partnership by addressing alleged internal sabotage within the country’s security architecture.
The group warned that intelligence sharing could be compromised if elements within the armed forces continue to collaborate with terrorists.
“Nigerian security heads must root out undesirable elements within the armed forces that collude with terrorists and leak intelligence to them,” HURIWA said. “If these activities are not minimised, the United States forces may lose confidence in the partnership, which is largely in Nigeria’s own interest.”
The group also strongly criticised Nigeria’s security and intelligence agencies over their failure to prevent deadly attacks on communities in Kwara State on Tuesday, where more than 40 residents were reportedly killed by suspected Islamist terrorists.
In a media statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA described the attacks as a clear indication of systemic failure within Nigeria’s security and intelligence framework.
The group expressed concern that security forces were only deployed after the attacks had already occurred.
“It is disturbing and totally unacceptable that citizens are left to die in large numbers before security forces are mobilised,” HURIWA said, adding that repeated attacks in Kwara State without prior intelligence interception reflect a breakdown of preventive security mechanisms.
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According to HURIWA, the attackers allegedly infiltrated Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State from neighbouring Niger State, where similar extremist activities have been reported.
The group argued that effective intelligence gathering should have identified the flashpoints and prevented the incursion.
“There is no doubt that security forces are aware that terrorists operating in Niger State can easily move into neighbouring areas when under pressure.
The failure to anticipate and block these movements points to a collapse of coordinated security planning,” the statement added.
HURIWA recalled that soldiers and forest guards were eventually deployed to the affected communities following the attacks, but condemned what it described as a belated response.
The group insisted that timely intelligence and proactive deployment could have averted the bloodshed.
Local sources, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the death toll had risen to over 40, while security forces had taken control of the affected areas. Residents also reported that several homes were destroyed during the attack, leaving families devastated.
According to the sources, the attackers allegedly addressed residents, urging them to abandon Nigeria’s constitution and adopt extremist interpretations of religious doctrine. Disagreements during the gathering reportedly triggered violent reprisals by the attackers.
HURIWA concluded that while international partnerships such as the U.S. security deployment offer renewed hope, lasting security will depend on Nigeria’s ability to reform its intelligence systems, eliminate internal sabotage and prioritise proactive protection of civilian lives.