₦airaland Forum

The military high command on Thursday confirmed the presence of United States troops in Nigeria but dismissed suggestions of combat deployment.

I[b]t clarified that the American personnel are not engaged in ground operations or combat roles, stressing that their presence is limited to capacity building, professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support and strategic dialogue with Nigerian forces.[/b]


The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, a Major-General, while reacting to reports that raised concerns about the US forces deployment, said the cooperation was aimed at addressing shared security concerns, including terrorism and transnational threats.


Daily Trust reports that the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), had on Tuesday revealed that a small team of American military personnel had been deployed to Nigeria as part of ongoing security cooperation between both countries.


AFRICOM commander, Dagvin Anderson, while speaking during a virtual press briefing, said the deployment was made at the request of the Nigerian government and was strictly focused on providing specialised intelligence assistance to support counter-terrorism efforts.

Anderson, while stressing that the mission was advisory in nature and aligned with mutual security objectives, said, “Our partnership with Nigeria is a great example of a willing and capable ally that requested unique capabilities only the United States can provide”.


On December 25, 2025, the United States military, in coordination with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, carried out strike operations across multiple locations in Sokoto State.



‘Nigeria’s sovereignty remains intact’

Uba noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and by extension, Nigeria, maintained a long-standing and structured security partnership with the United States.

While allaying fears of stakeholders and other Nigerians, the senior military officer explained that Nigeria’s cooperation with the US was rooted in mutual respect.

According to him, all engagements are conducted in full respect of Nigeria’s sovereignty and in accordance with existing bilateral frameworks.

He said, “The Defence Headquarters has noted recent media reports and public speculation suggesting the presence or deployment of United States troops in Nigeria.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to state that Nigeria maintains a long-standing and structured security partnership with the United States.

“This cooperation is rooted in mutual respect and focuses on capacity building, professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support and strategic dialogue aimed at addressing shared security concerns, including terrorism and transnational threats.

“All engagements are conducted in full respect of Nigeria’s sovereignty and in accordance with existing bilateral frameworks.

“As part of this ongoing partnership, a recent two-day high-level Working Group engagement brought together senior U.S. government officials and the Nigerian counterparts at the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“This meeting followed earlier engagements in the United States, reflecting a mature, trust-based relationship focused on practical outcomes.

“Discussions during these engagements included proposals designed to strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms, improve coordination and enhance accountability in joint efforts to counter violent threats while upholding the protection of civilians and community safety.

“The proposals remain under study by the appropriate Nigerian authorities,” the senior military officer made the clarifications in a statement.

Engagements with international partners guided by national interest – DHQ

Speaking further, Uba explained that engagements with international partners are guided strictly by national interest, measurable outcomes and the protection of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

He insisted that the military would continue to remain committed to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.

Uba added, “The Defence Headquarters reassures all citizens that Nigeria’s defence partnerships are transparent, policy-driven and aligned with constitutional provisions.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity while working with credible partners in ways that strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture without compromising national independence.”

Responding to the Nigerians’ concerns earlier, the Defence minister, Christopher Musa, explained that the American personnel are not combat troops but a small advisory team supporting intelligence gathering and capacity-building initiatives for Nigerian security forces.

In an interview with the BBC, Musa said the deployment forms part of long-standing bilateral cooperation aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to combat terrorism and insurgency, particularly in areas affected by banditry and violent extremism.

He declined to disclose operational details, including the size of the team, their exact location, duration of stay, or date of arrival, citing security considerations.

“Their role is purely supportive,” the defence minister said, emphasising that Nigerian forces remain fully in charge of all operations and decision-making on the ground.

Lawyers, expert speak

Meanwhile, in an interview with one of our correspondents, a security and intelligence expert, Abdullahi Garba, noted that the presence of US forces might not be inimical to Nigeria’s existence if it follows approval of the government.

He said, “I don’t think any country’s force or forces will just enter another sovereign country without the approval of the government; it doesn’t work that way.

“Yes, Nigerians have reasons to raise concerns, but there is a need to trust our government. After all, our own Forces also enter another country for a peace mission. I guess the US forces are also here for a peace mission on the government’s approval.

“I will advise we wait a bit and watch to see what happens going forward.”

Similarly, lawyers explained that the intractable security situation in Nigeria may be used to justify the US troops’ presence.

Dayo Akinlaja, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in an interview with Daily Trust, said that although he could not think of any legal procedure to explain the deployment of US troops in Nigeria but the security situation could justify that.

“I think it is within the executive prerogative to safeguard the security and welfare of the people as the main duty of government, and I can’t fault this,” he said.

In the same vein, Obioma Ezenwobodo Esq said the arrival of US troops is not for combat purposes, but for technical and intelligence support warranted by the high level of terrorism in the country.

“Under Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, all member states are prohibited from using or threatening the use of force against one another, except for self-defence or when authorised by the UN Security Council,” he said.

Source: https://dailytrust.com/dhq-admits-us-troops-in-nigeria

Thats a good development and we should all support this effort.

adenigga:
Source: https://dailytrust.com/dhq-admits-us-troops-in-nigeria

At first, they said the American troops are here to receive training from the Nigerian army on how to defeat the terrorists they couldn't defeat for decades.

Now they are telling us the American troops are here for peace mission, a peace mission between the Nigerian army and the terrorists or what? What manner of confused confusion is this?

Name one country in the world where the American troops put boots on ground for a peace mission...make una dey play.

A lying government can NEVER be trusted.

Sondndkdkjdkdkfkfkfnfkfkfkfkfkfkfkfkfkfhhjjkkkkkkk

Sondndkdkjdkdkfkfkfnfkfkfkfkfkfkfkfkfkf

Na lie them will soon engage the terrorists just give them time if una like make una no serious cooking up stories everytime.

KingOfAmebo:
American troops are here to receive education from the Nigerian army.

keep deceiving yourself. Do Nigeria have Army?

Very good development, this is very necessary.

They are welcome
They should enjoy our nigeria jollof and drink palm wine from the village
They should leave our babes alone sha oooooo

Hate him or like him, you have to give Tinubu his flowers for the way he handled this US situation. Nigeria now have stronger relationship with the US, than under any president.

Trump's rhetoric from last year might just turn out be a blessing for Nigeria. The man is very rational and capable, regardless of his language, if you look at his actions, you can see that he means well. I just pray, he help us end this chapter of violence and terrorism.

Someone said our mosquitoes will fight them. Meanwhile, Sheik Gummi has been silent, is he now afraid of dieing by American bomb?

KingOfAmebo:
American troops are here to receive education from the Nigerian army.

Rule. Don't post false information on Nairaland.

I'm wishing them well. I hope they can get it done with as soon as possible.

On the flip side, another avenue for Nija girls to enter Yankee legally.

The question in my mind is this. Why is it that less than 24 hours after Mossad posted that SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN NIGERIA, the attack in Kwara happened?

First I thought it was a parody account until I actually verified that it was actually real. So, what did Mossad know and when did it know it because the coincidence is just too alarming.

This is a sovereign state, they can't come,blablabla. Trump is talk and do. Kudos!

To all terrorists,their sponsors and sympathisers, your days are numbered. the real army don land. Once American troops enter any nation, they can only know their time of arrival, nobody knows how many years they'd be in that country, until their mission is fulfilled. Apc government has done us more harm than good. When I commented here that Eruku massacre would be replicated elsewhere after oke ode, because of the federal government's lame duck attitude, I knew what i was saying. Now, nearly 200 people(officially) were killed in Kaiama, same kwara state. How long will they continue to be keeping quiet? Wicked souls.

The most terrible part is the way Nigerians supporting the apc are keeping quiet, instead of condemning the president's silence. They've forgotten it could be anybody. Their relations are living in the various towns and villages. I remember the otogee sponsored protests in kwara, targeted at saraki and his family in order to achieve their selfish gains by capturing kwara. Now,the aims have been achieved and the sponsor has abandoned them to their fate. We'll be wise someday.

Father4all:
keep deceiving yourself. Do Nigeria have Army?

Whois:
Rule. Don't post false information on Nairaland.

Make una dey calm down, I am only telling you the lies the Nigerian army have been telling us.

Razzness:
Hate him or like him, you have to give Tinubu his flowers for the way he handled this US situation. Nigeria now have stronger relationship with the US, than under any president.

Trump's rhetoric from last year might just turn out be a blessing in disguise for Nigeria

Are you now calling it a strategica partnership 😂😂😂

From They can't bomb terrorists to they can't enter Nigeria and now they're here, Is now they will not fight to a strategic military relationship with the USA
Now worry 🤣

Dhq be feeling funky!

Ordinary Malian military pass Una

adenigga:
Source: https://dailytrust.com/dhq-admits-us-troops-in-nigeria

They do not have to admit it. We know already. We rejoice with them as it has given them the much sought after opportunity to prove their mettle against the terrorists who, all the while, have hidden behind the one finger that Nigerian politicians across politicians are to perpetrate terror.

Father4all:
keep deceiving yourself. Do Nigeria have Army?

No, Nigetia don't have army na you have army.

Hello wll you keep shut? Those in army facing those bitch terrorist day and night dem nor be your mate? You sit down here useless dey rant shit.

There are no flowers to give, supported the government that gave rise to the insurgency, just to let it continue emboldened under him before foreign intervention...

Razzness:
Hate him or like him, you have to give Tinubu his flowers for the way he handled this US situation. Nigeria now have stronger relationship with the US, than under any president.

Trump's rhetoric from last year might just turn out be a blessing in disguise for Nigeria

okomile:
They are welcome
They should enjoy our nigeria jollof and drink palm wine from the village
They should leave our babes alone sha oooooo

Lol na that one be your problem.😂😂

Just in case you calling for them

Two things I want you to no

Bello Turji and his goons will collect wotowoto soon.

If the American force wants results , they should work independently and with their own intelligence reports to combat terrorism.

If they decide to collaborate with the Nigerian armies, they won't win the battle against terrorism because there are lots of terrorists enablers, sponsor, sympathisers and share holders in the armies.

With the level of insecurity in the country, intelligence support and training from allies isn’t surprising. What matters most is results safer communities and stronger Nigerian security forces.

So far they are here against the terrorism that is ravaging the country.

They are highly welcome.

Who did boko haram, iswap, bandits etc consulted before seizing some territories in Nigeria? The US Army reserves the right too to enter Nigeria without questioning, afterall, their actions here are for our own interest. Finally, we should stop using these words in Nigeria, "sovereignty", "territorial integrity" they've been demystified.

Razzness:
Hate him or like him, you have to give Tinubu his flowers for the way he handled this US situation. Nigeria now have stronger relationship with the US, than under any president.

Trump's rhetoric from last year might just turn out be a blessing for Nigeria. The man is very rational and capable, regardless of his language, if you look at his actions, you can see that he means well. I just pray, he help us end this chapter of violence and terrorism.
We will build a statue of him in Nigeria.

Dey play

You talk as if balabluu has any other options other than to comply to his masters?

Dey play,OK?

Admit ke? Wrong word.

They never denied it before. Better to use the word confirmed.

Hmmm. They have entered again o. Expect the unexpected

And terrorism still lingers......

They're no talks about sovereignty when terrorists have their way in the country.
But when US troops show up, zombies are always quick to bring out their 'sovereignty handbook'....