The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has assured that the planned withdrawal of more than 200 United States personnel from Nigeria will not affect the country’s longstanding security partnership with the U.S.
The 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 planned drawdown should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
“The relationship between Nigeria and the United States remains strong, enduring and mutually beneficial,” he said.
According to the Defence spokesperson, the deployment of U.S. personnel was linked to specific operational and counter-terrorism objectives. He explained that the adjustment in troop presence was therefore part of the evolving nature of the security engagement between both countries.
Uba stressed that key areas of cooperation, including intelligence sharing, training, information exchange and professional military collaboration, would continue despite the reduction in the number of U.S. personnel in Nigeria.
He also reiterated that the primary responsibility for defending Nigeria and protecting its citizens rests with Nigerian security forces.
“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 U.S. partnership was intended to strengthen Nigeria’s security capabilities through intelligence cooperation, training and technical assistance.
Uba added that where Nigeria and the United States jointly determine that additional military action is necessary, including joint strikes, such operations could be undertaken.
He maintained that the bilateral security partnership had continued to yield positive results in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats.
The assurance comes amid the planned adjustment in the presence of U.S. personnel in Nigeria, with the Defence Headquarters emphasizing that the development does not signal an end to security cooperation between both countries.
