1.9.2026
The Defence Headquarters says the planned drawdown of more than 200 U.S. personnel from Nigeria will not affect the enduring security partnership between both countries.
Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja while responding to questions at the Joint Security News Briefing.
Uba said the withdrawal should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of Nigeria’s security cooperation with the United States.
“The relationship between Nigeria and the United States remains strong, enduring and mutually beneficial,” he said.
He explained that the deployment of U.S. personnel was tied to specific operational and counter-terrorism objectives, making the drawdown part of the evolving nature of the engagement.
According to him, intelligence cooperation, training, information sharing and other areas of professional military cooperation will continue despite the adjustment in U.S. troop presence.
“The responsibility for the defence of Nigeria and the protection of its citizens rests primarily with Nigerian security forces,” Uba said.
He said the partnership with the United States was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s capabilities through intelligence sharing training and technical assistance.
Uba added that where both countries jointly assessed the need for additional efforts, including joint strikes, such operations would be undertaken.
He said the partnership had continued to produce favourable outcomes against terrorism and other transnational security threats.
The defence spokesman urged the media and Nigerians not to interpret routine adjustments in foreign military deployments as evidence of a collapse in bilateral security cooperation or Nigeria’s defence capability. NAN
US and Nigeria army officers interact during training.