Nigeria, US to Expand Air-Ground Integration for Safer Counterterrorism Operations
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the United States Government have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration on smarter firepower delivery and civilian protection through the ongoing Air-to-Ground Integration (AGI) programme.
This commitment was renewed during a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, by a delegation from the United States Institute of Security Governance led by retired Major General Miguel Castellanos, on Tuesday, in Abuja.
Air Marshal Abubakar said the AGI programme, supported by the US, has significantly improved the NAF’s precision strike capabilities while reducing risks to civilians during operations. He described the initiative as critical to embedding global best practices in Civilian Harm Mitigation (CHM) and ensuring synergy across the Services.
Read Also:
“The Air-Ground Integration programme has sharpened our capacity to deliver firepower at the right place and time with precision and restraint,” the CAS stated. “Beyond enhancing synergy, it reinforces our commitment to safeguarding civilian lives in conflict zones. The technical and advisory support provided by the United States has been instrumental in making this progress possible.”
In his remarks, Castellanos commended the professionalism of the NAF and praised Nigeria’s leadership in advancing civilian protection in conflict zones. He assured that the United States would continue to provide technical support, training, and expertise to sustain the gains of the AGI programme.
“What we are developing together is more than operational capability; it is a system that ensures effectiveness while protecting civilian populations,” Castellanos said. “Nigeria’s leadership in embedding Civilian Harm Mitigation into military operations sets a strong example for the region, and the United States is proud to stand as a partner in this endeavour.”
Both parties agreed that the ultimate goal of the AGI programme is to build enduring joint processes across Nigeria’s Armed Forces, enabling them to counter emerging threats decisively while upholding humanitarian standards.
The meeting, according to NAF, reaffirmed the deepening Nigeria–US partnership, with both sides committing to further strengthen cooperation in precision targeting, inter-agency collaboration, and civilian protection as cornerstones of modern counter-terrorism and peace support operations.
By PRNigeria
