Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has moved to quell concerns over the recent arrival of American military personnel, insisting that the cooperation does not in any way threaten the country’s sovereignty.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the engagement with the United States Department of Defense is focused strictly on training and operational support, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and other security threats.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Micheal Onoja, described the collaboration as routine military-to-military cooperation.
He stressed that the partnership is advisory in nature and does not impose any financial obligation on the Federal Government.
According to him, such engagements are common among countries confronting security challenges and are designed to improve tactical capacity, intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism effectiveness.
He dismissed suggestions that the presence of foreign troops compromises Nigeria’s independence, stating that all activities are conducted within clearly defined agreements and respect for national authority.
The clarification follows the earlier announcement by the DHQ confirming the arrival of about 100 U.S. military personnel and equipment on February 17.
The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, had explained that the deployment stemmed from deliberations held during a bilateral working group meeting between Nigerian and American defence officials.
Military authorities reiterated that the objective is to enhance the operational readiness of Nigerian forces, particularly in counter-terrorism operations across various theatres.
They maintained that the collaboration aligns with international best practices and reflects Nigeria’s broader strategy of partnering with allies to address evolving security threats.
The DHQ assured Nigerians that the country retains full command and control of its military operations, adding that foreign support remains within the framework of capacity building and does not extend to independent combat missions on Nigerian soil.
