The Defence Headquarters has clarified that the reported planned withdrawal of United States troops does not signal a breakdown of bilateral security cooperation between both countries.
He said the withdrawal would not affect the Nigerian Military’s counterinsurgency operations.
The Director Defence Information Major General Samaila Uba spoke about the matter while responding to questions from journalists at a security briefing organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Office of the National Security Adviser.
Uba said he had received numerous inquiries from journalists seeking clarification on the matter.
He noted that he had already prepared a statement and would use the opportunity provided by the forum to deliver it.
The New York Times reported about the planned withdrawal last week.
He described the move as a routine adjustment tied to specific operational objectives rather than a termination of bilateral defence relations.
“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,” Mr 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 linked to specific operational and counter-terrorism missions, making the drawdown part of the evolving nature of military cooperation.
He added that key aspects of the partnership, including intelligence cooperation, military training and information sharing, remain 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 responsibility for defending Nigeria rests primarily with Nigerian security forces, while foreign partnerships are intended to enhance local capabilities.
He noted that the Nigeria-US security partnership has continued to produce valuable results in combating terrorism and other transnational security threats, adding that cooperation in areas of mutual interest would continue.
Uba also urged journalists and 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.
