The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that about 200 United States military personnel remain in Nigeria under an ongoing bilateral security partnership focused on intelligence sharing, training and capacity building, despite the recent withdrawal of additional American forces deployed for a specific counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin.
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports suggesting that all United States military personnel have exited Nigeria, explaining that approximately 200 American troops are still operating in the country as part of an existing intelligence-sharing and military training arrangement with the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the recent withdrawal announced by U.S. officials involved only the additional personnel temporarily deployed to support a counterterrorism operation in the Lake Chad Basin.
According to him, the original contingent of about 200 U.S. military personnel remains in Nigeria under the longstanding defence cooperation between both countries.
“The Commander was primarily talking about the additional forces that came to execute the mission in Lake Chad. Initial US personnel are still in Nigeria,” Uba said.
He added that intelligence sharing and operational cooperation between both countries remain active and unchanged.
The clarification followed international reports that the United States had withdrawn most of the troops deployed for a special counterterrorism operation after the mission was completed.
Earlier this year, the United States deployed military advisers, surveillance assets and about 200 personnel to Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government to strengthen intelligence gathering, training and counterterrorism operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and other extremist groups. The deployment was described as advisory and intelligence-focused rather than combat-oriented.
DHQ stressed that Nigeria’s military partnership with the United States remains intact and that additional personnel may still be deployed whenever operational requirements demand specialised capabilities.
The military also reassured Nigerians that all engagements with U.S. personnel are conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and are aimed at strengthening the Armed Forces’ capacity to combat terrorism and other security threats.
The Defence Headquarters said the Nigeria–United States security partnership continues to play an important role in intelligence sharing, specialised military training and counterterrorism operations. While the temporary Lake Chad mission has ended, defence officials insist bilateral cooperation remains strong as both countries continue efforts to tackle terrorism and violent extremism.