The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified reports surrounding the presence of United States troops in Nigeria, stressing that any engagement is rooted in a long-standing, mutually agreed security partnership between both countries.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Major General S. Uba, dismissed speculation of unauthorised troop deployment, assuring Nigerians that all defence collaborations are transparent, policy-driven and constitutionally compliant.
According to the DHQ, Nigeria’s security cooperation with the United States focuses on capacity building, intelligence sharing, professional military education, logistics support and strategic dialogue, particularly in tackling terrorism and other transnational threats.
The military leadership emphasised that all engagements are conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and within existing bilateral frameworks, adding that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) remains firmly committed to protecting the country’s territorial integrity.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to state that Nigeria maintains a structured and long-standing security partnership with the United States, built on mutual respect and shared security interests,” the statement said.
The DHQ also disclosed that a recent two-day high-level Working Group meeting was held at the Office of the National Security Adviser, bringing together senior Nigerian and US government officials. The engagement followed earlier meetings in the United States and underscored what the military described as a mature, trust-based relationship.
Discussions at the meeting reportedly focused on strengthening cooperation mechanisms, improving coordination and enhancing accountability in joint efforts to counter violent threats, while prioritising civilian protection and community safety.
The Defence Headquarters reiterated that all proposals arising from the engagements are still under review by relevant Nigerian authorities and are guided strictly by national interest and the preservation of Nigeria’s sovereignty.
