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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that the reported withdrawal of about 200 United States personnel from Nigeria will not affect the country’s security cooperation with the US.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. S. Uba, made the clarification on Tuesday during the joint security spokespersons’ briefing.
Uba described the development as a routine, mission-specific adjustment linked to particular operational and counterterrorism objectives, stressing that it should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of the longstanding Nigeria-US security partnership.
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“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,” he said.
He said the relationship between both countries remained “strong, enduring, and mutually beneficial”, adding that intelligence cooperation, training and information sharing would continue.
According to him, Nigeria remained primarily responsible for defending its territory and protecting its citizens, while US support was aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Nigerian military.
“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.
Uba added that where Nigeria and the US jointly determined that additional interventions, including joint strikes, were necessary, such operations would be undertaken.
He said the partnership had continued to produce positive results in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats.
The defence spokesperson urged the media and the public not to interpret the adjustment in US military presence as evidence of weakening security cooperation or Nigeria’s defence capability.
The clarification followed reports that most of the additional US forces deployed for the Lake Chad operation had returned to the United States after completing their mission, while intelligence sharing and broader security cooperation with Nigeria would continue.
