DHQ Explains Nigeria–US Security Partnership Amid Troop Presence Rumours
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed media reports and public speculation suggesting the presence or deployment of United States troops in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the DHQ clarified that Nigeria maintains a long-standing, structured security partnership with the United States that does not involve the stationing or deployment of foreign troops on Nigerian soil.
According to the statement, the cooperation between both countries is founded on mutual respect and focuses on capacity building, professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support and strategic dialogue aimed at addressing shared security challenges such as terrorism and other transnational threats.
The DHQ stressed that all engagements with the United States are conducted in full respect of Nigeria’s sovereignty and in line with existing bilateral frameworks.
It further disclosed that, as part of the ongoing partnership, a recent two-day high-level Working Group meeting was held at the Office of the National Security Adviser, bringing together senior officials from the United States and their Nigerian counterparts. The engagement followed earlier meetings held in the United States and reflects what the DHQ described as a mature, trust-based relationship focused on practical security outcomes.
Discussions during the engagements, the DHQ said, included proposals aimed at strengthening cooperation mechanisms, improving coordination and enhancing accountability in joint efforts to counter violent threats, while ensuring the protection of civilians and community safety. The proposals are currently under review by the appropriate Nigerian authorities.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed that all engagements with international partners are guided strictly by Nigeria’s national interest, measurable outcomes and the protection of the country’s sovereignty.
Reassuring Nigerians, the DHQ emphasized that Nigeria’s defence partnerships remain transparent, policy-driven and fully aligned with constitutional provisions, adding that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity while working with credible partners in ways that strengthen national security without compromising independence.
