Keypoints:
- Moscow praises Nigeria’s counterterror efforts
- Russia offers wider assistance via global partners
- Civilians remain most affected by attacks
RUSSIA has pledged to deepen its cooperation with Nigeria in the fight against terrorism, describing Abuja’s efforts to contain extremist groups as robust and determined. The assurance came from Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Tuesday, who emphasised Moscow’s readiness to expand assistance through a range of international platforms, according to reporting by Anadolu Agency.
Moscow praises Abuja’s commitment
Zakharova said Russia’s view on counterterrorism ‘remains unchanged’, stressing that terrorism is a global challenge requiring coordinated solutions. She noted that Moscow intends to work more closely with the international community, including the United Nations and the African Union, to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to confront evolving threats.
‘Russia is prepared to continue providing the necessary assistance to its Nigerian partners,’ she said. Her comments highlight a renewed diplomatic push by Moscow to reinforce security ties across Africa at a time when several West African states face rising violence from armed groups.
Experience of Nigerian forces highlighted
The spokesperson commended Nigeria’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies for what she described as ‘significant experience in effectively countering terrorist threats’. Nigeria has conducted extensive operations across the northeast over the past decade, reclaiming territory, dismantling insurgent hideouts and disrupting supply routes used by Boko Haram and its splinter groups.
Despite these gains, Zakharova warned that the human toll remains severe. Civilians — especially women and children — continue to bear the brunt of attacks. Government workers, local leaders and security personnel also face frequent ambushes and targeted assaults, underscoring the scale of the security challenge.
Insurgency still entrenched in the northeast
Nigeria has struggled with extremist violence since Boko Haram launched an armed campaign in 2002 from Borno State. Although the military claimed significant victory against the group in 2015, the insurgency has since fragmented into multiple factions, including groups aligned with international extremist networks.
These factions continue to operate across the Lake Chad Basin, exploiting porous borders and remote terrain. Security analysts say their shift to smaller, mobile cells has made them harder to track, leading to sporadic but devastating attacks on villages, transport routes and state institutions.
Schools shuttered after renewed attacks
Recent attacks targeting schools have forced authorities in several northern states to shut educational institutions amid concerns over pupil safety. Parents and teachers say the closures threaten to deepen inequalities in access to education, particularly for rural children already affected by displacement.
The worsening security environment also prompted President Bola Tinubu to cancel a scheduled trip to South Africa for the G20 summit earlier this month. Officials said the president chose to remain in Nigeria to oversee national security responses and coordinate with military chiefs after a spate of fresh attacks.
Russia urges broader international coordination
Zakharova reiterated that Russia views Nigeria as a key partner in West Africa’s wider counterterrorism landscape. She called for enhanced multilateral collaboration to tackle the cross-border nature of extremist networks and to support humanitarian efforts in communities facing displacement, food insecurity and trauma linked to the conflict.
For Nigeria, renewed backing from Russia adds to diplomatic efforts to diversify security partnerships. Abuja continues to push for intelligence-sharing, cross-border operations and regional cooperation through organisations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), though political tensions in the region have complicated joint action.
With communities still vulnerable to insurgent activity, officials say sustained international support will be essential to stabilising affected areas and restoring public confidence. Moscow’s latest statement signals an intention to remain engaged as Nigeria works to strengthen security and protect civilians.
