Defections by Islamic State (ISIS) members in Nigeria have increased by more than 200 per cent since a joint military operation by Nigerian and United States forces in May, the commander of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dagvin Anderson, has said.

Anderson attributed the increase to the killing of a senior ISIS figure during the operation and subsequent military offensives by Nigerian forces, describing the development as an indication of progress in the fight against terrorism.

He disclosed this on Monday on the sidelines of the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos, according to THISDAY.

In May, Nigerian and US forces conducted military operations in north-eastern Nigeria that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the global terror group’s second-in-command.

Anderson said the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-sharing between both countries, with Nigeria contributing local and regional knowledge while the US provided intelligence on international terrorist networks.

“The partnership with the Nigerian Armed Forces and Nigerian intelligence was exceptional, and that’s what really enabled that partnership to happen and to take out the number two terrorist in the world for ISIS,” he said.

He added that the US continued to support Nigerian security forces through intelligence, specialised capabilities and training.

According to Anderson, the increase in defections, alongside a reduction in attacks and violence, suggests that sustained military pressure is affecting the operations of extremist groups.

In June, AFRICOM announced the withdrawal of most US troops deployed for the operation but said intelligence support for Nigeria would continue.

Anderson, however, cautioned that military action alone would not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges, including terrorism and kidnapping, stressing the need to address governance and development issues that contribute to insecurity.

He also commended Nigeria’s programme for reintegrating former insurgents into society, emphasising the importance of providing young people with opportunities to contribute positively to their communities.

“How do you take the growing youth population and channel that energy for a positive effort? And to me, that’s what we all need to work on, but it has to be done locally,” he said.

The AFRICOM commander also identified terrorist financing, piracy, smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal fishing as security threats requiring stronger regional cooperation.

On the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Anderson said the US was seeking to reopen dialogue with the three countries to strengthen security cooperation.