The United States has delivered another batch of military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as Washington continue to strengthen security cooperation with Nigeria amid persistent terrorism, banditry and kidnapping threats across the country.

The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) disclosed on Thursday that the latest equipment was delivered this month to Nigerian Air Force facilities in Lagos and Kainji, Niger State, aboard a US Air Force C-17 aircraft.

According to AFRICOM, the delivery was made under a Foreign Military Sales agreement between the United States and Nigerian militaries and form part of the broader strategic security partnership between both countries.

The command said the assistance is designed to enhance Nigeria’s capacity to lead counter-terrorism operations and strengthen Nigerian-led efforts against armed groups operating across the region.

AFRICOM said latest delivery further demonstrated the strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly in supporting Nigeria’s efforts to confront terrorism and other security threats.

It also stressed that US military support to Nigeria is provided at the invitation of the Nigerian government and is rooted in respect for the country’s sovereignty.

The latest delivery comes amid adjustments to the US military presence in Nigeria. AFRICOM Commander, Dagvin Anderson, had announced last month that the United States was withdrawing a significant number of its troops from the country following a May operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS, in the Lake Chad Basin.

Despite the troop reduction, US officials have maintained that the partnership with Nigeria has yielded significant results through training, intelligence cooperation and operational support.

Small teams of US trainers and intelligence analysts are expected to remain in Nigeria after the larger contingent leaves by the end of September, underscoring Washington’s continued commitment to security cooperation with Abuja.

The latest shipment is also part of a broader pattern of US military assistance to Nigeria. In January, Washington supplied military equipment to Nigerian security agencies to support counter-terrorism and other security operations.

The continued assistance comes as Nigeria confronts persistent attacks by terrorist groups and criminal networks, particularly in the North-East and North-West, where communities remain vulnerable to terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

The latest development signaled the continued deepening of military and security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States as both countries seek to strengthen Nigeria-led efforts to tackle terrorism and improve national and regional security.