The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that the planned withdrawal of United States military personnel from ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria does not signal a breakdown in bilateral security cooperation between the two countries.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said this during a security briefing at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja, while responding to questions.
The New York Times reported last week that about 200 US military personnel deployed to Nigeria to assist with intelligence and training in the fight against terrorism were to be withdrawn.
However, Uba described the planned drawdown as a routine adjustment linked to specific operational objectives, rather than a termination of the bilateral defence relationship.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the reported withdrawal of about 200 United States personnel should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of the Nigeria-United States security partnership,” Uba said.
He said the defence relationship between Nigeria and the United States remains “strong, enduring and mutually beneficial.”
According to him, the deployment of US personnel was tied to specific operational and counter-terrorism missions, making the drawdown part of the evolving nature of military cooperation between the two countries.
Uba added that key aspects of the partnership, including intelligence cooperation, military training and information sharing, remained in place.
“Our cooperation with the United States is designed to strengthen our capabilities through intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance and other forms of professional military cooperation,” he said.
The military spokesperson maintained that the primary responsibility for defending Nigeria rested with Nigerian security forces, while foreign partnerships were intended to enhance the country’s capabilities.
He said the Nigeria-US security partnership has continued to produce valuable results in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats, adding that cooperation in areas of mutual interest would continue.
Uba also urged journalists and members of the public not to misinterpret the troop drawdown.
“We equally call on the media and the Nigerian public to avoid interpreting a routine or mission-specific adjustment in foreign military presence as evidence of a collapse in Nigeria’s security cooperation or national defence capability,” he said.
- Media Report