The Defence Headquarters has allayed concerns over the reported withdrawal of about 200 United States military personnel from Nigeria, saying the development will not disrupt the security partnership between the two countries.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. S. Uba, made this known on Tuesday during the joint security spokespersons’ briefing.
Uba described the reduction in the number of US personnel as a routine adjustment linked to specific operational objectives rather than a sign of deteriorating relations between Nigeria and the United States.
He said, “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.”
According to him, the bilateral relationship remains strong, with both countries continuing to collaborate on intelligence, training, information sharing and other areas of military cooperation.
“The decision to draw down personnel is therefore part of the evolving nature of that engagement. Elements of the United States security partnership, particularly intelligence cooperation, training and information sharing, will continue,” he stated.
The defence spokesman stressed that the primary responsibility for protecting Nigeria and its citizens remained with the country’s security forces, while the partnership with the US was intended to improve their operational capabilities.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria has consistently maintained that the responsibility for the defence of Nigeria and the protection of its citizens rests primarily with Nigerian security forces,” Uba said.
He explained that the cooperation between both countries also covered technical assistance and other forms of professional military support.
Uba added that Nigeria and the US could undertake additional operations, including joint strikes, whenever both sides determined that such measures were necessary.
“Where it is jointly assessed that additional efforts, including joint strikes, are required, we do that,” he said.
According to him, the partnership has contributed positively to efforts against terrorism and other security challenges that cut across national borders.
“Indeed, the Nigeria-United States partnership has continued to produce valuable outcomes in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats,” Uba stated.
He therefore urged Nigerians and the media not to view the reduction in US military personnel as evidence of weakening security cooperation or a decline in Nigeria’s defence capacity.
“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 Nigerian security cooperation or national defence capability,” he said.
The clarification follows reports that most of the additional US forces deployed to support operations around the Lake Chad region had returned after completing their mission.
US officials reportedly said that despite the withdrawal, intelligence sharing and broader security cooperation with Nigeria would continue.
Uba reaffirmed that the relationship between Nigeria and the United States remained enduring, particularly in areas where both countries share security interests.
