By Palang Paul
Israel has announced plans to deepen security cooperation with Nigeria, focusing on intelligence sharing to help combat widespread insecurity and protect vulnerable communities, including Christians.
The offer was detailed by Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, in a television interview, following earlier comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Freeman emphasized that any Israeli involvement would be strictly guided by the Nigerian government and within the bounds of its sovereignty.
“Our aim is to work with the Nigerian government, and the Prime Minister highlighted issues of intelligence sharing and other areas,” Freeman stated on Arise TV. “We will be led and guided by the Nigerian government as to where we can work and where we can partner.”
The ambassador clarified that the proposed cooperation extends beyond the protection of Christian communities to address Nigeria’s broader security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, and violent extremism. “This is very much about working with an ally… to tackle insecurity as a whole within the country,” he said.
The announcement comes against a backdrop of sustained international concern over violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions, where groups including Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed bandits have been accused of targeting Christian communities through killings, kidnappings, and church burnings. Several U.S. advocacy groups and lawmakers have described the violence as a form of religious persecution or genocide—a characterization the Nigerian government consistently rejects, attributing the crises to terrorism and communal conflict.
When questioned about a potential scenario where the United States might take unilateral action in Nigeria under President Donald Trump, Ambassador Freeman declined to speculate, calling it a “hypothetical situation.” He reiterated Israel’s commitment to working directly with Abuja.
Freeman also defended Prime Minister Netanyahu’s focus on protecting Christians worldwide, rejecting suggestions of contradiction given the conflict in Gaza. He pointed to Israel’s record on religious freedom, stating it is “the only country in the Middle East where Christians have complete freedom of worship.”
The Nigerian government has historically welcomed international security support while firmly opposing any foreign intervention that undermines its sovereignty. Israel’s proposal for behind-the-scenes intelligence partnership appears tailored to align with this position, offering strategic cooperation without public unilateral action.
Discussions between the Israeli and Nigerian governments on the matter are expected to remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of intelligence and security operations.
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