Nigeria: Is the Trump-Tinubu Collaboration Working?

Nigeria's struggle with insecurity persists despite significant progress in recent months. Nigerian security forces recently rescued 308 hostages held captive by gunmen linked to various extremist groups in Kainji Lake National Park near New Bussa in Niger state. This operation, which involved the military and intelligence forces, has been hailed as the largest and most successful hostage rescue in Nigerian history by President Tinubu.

The operation marks the latest in a series of successful rescue missions by Nigerian security forces against terrorist targets since the beginning of the year. Other successes include the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo state, as well as operations in Edo, Kogi, and Niger states.

While there have been notable achievements, the security situation remains critical. An average of 27 lives are lost daily to violence across the country, and at least 1,100 people were abducted in northern Nigeria during the first four months of the year, according to Amnesty International. Overall, there were 237 more terrorism-related fatalities in 2025 compared to the previous year, as reported by the 2026 Global Terrorism Index.

NigeriaPolls survey indicates that 57 percent of Nigerians feel unsafe in their neighborhood, with the feeling of insecurity being higher in the North-West and North-East regions. The complexity of Nigeria's security challenges, ranging from jihadist insurgency to everyday violence, continues to pose significant obstacles for the government.