The Defence Headquarters has issued a formal clarification addressing recent media reports and public speculation concerning the alleged presence or deployment of United States troops in Nigeria, stating that no such deployment is taking place and that existing engagements with the United States are conducted within established bilateral frameworks that respect Nigeria’s sovereignty.
In a statement dated and signed by Major General Samaila Uba, Director of Defence Information, the Armed Forces of Nigeria explained that Nigeria and the United States have maintained a long-standing and structured security partnership built on mutual respect and shared security interests. The Defence Headquarters emphasised that the cooperation between both countries is focused on capacity building, professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue aimed at addressing terrorism and transnational security threats. According to the statement, all engagements with the United States are conducted in full respect of Nigeria’s sovereignty and within the boundaries of existing bilateral agreements.
The clarification follows growing speculation across social media platforms and some media outlets suggesting that United States troops had been deployed to Nigerian territory, raising public concern over national sovereignty and foreign military presence. The Defence Headquarters described these reports as speculative and reiterated that Nigeria retains full control over its security architecture and foreign military engagements.
The statement disclosed that as part of the ongoing bilateral partnership, a recent two-day high-level Working Group engagement was held involving senior United States government officials and their Nigerian counterparts at the Office of the National Security Adviser. This engagement was said to be a continuation of earlier meetings held in the United States, reflecting what the Defence Headquarters described as a mature and trust-based relationship between both countries, focused on achieving practical security outcomes.
According to the Defence Headquarters, discussions during the engagements included proposals to strengthen existing cooperation, improve coordination between both countries, and enhance accountability in joint efforts to counter violent threats. The proposals also focused on protecting civilians and keeping communities safe in counter terrorism and security operations. The Defence Headquarters noted that these proposals are currently under study by the appropriate Nigerian authorities, underscoring that no decisions are taken unilaterally or without due consideration of national interests.
The statement further stressed that all engagements with international partners are guided strictly by Nigeria’s national interest, measurable outcomes, and the protection of national sovereignty. The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed that Nigeria’s defence partnerships are transparent, policy-driven, and aligned with constitutional provisions governing foreign relations and national defence.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria assured citizens that the country remains fully committed to safeguarding its territorial integrity and will continue to work with credible international partners in ways that strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture without compromising national independence. The statement emphasised that cooperation with foreign partners is a common practice among sovereign nations facing complex security challenges and that such cooperation does not equate to foreign military control or loss of sovereignty.
Nigeria has faced significant security challenges over the past decade, including insurgency in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West and North Central regions, separatist violence in the South East, and piracy and oil theft in the Niger Delta. These threats have strained national security resources and prompted the government to seek international partnerships for training, intelligence, and logistical support.
The United States has been one of Nigeria’s key security partners, providing support in areas such as counter terrorism training, military education programmes, intelligence cooperation, and equipment support.
However, Nigeria has historically been sensitive to the presence of foreign troops on its soil, reflecting constitutional provisions and public sentiment regarding sovereignty and non-alignment.
Samuel Aina