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Dalung made the remarks during an interview with RT, where he expressed scepticism about the role of the United States in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in the fight against insurgent groups such as Boko Haram.

A former Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has raised concerns over the presence of American troops in Nigeria, questioning their effectiveness in addressing the country’s worsening security challenges.

Dalung made the remarks during an interview with RT, where he expressed scepticism about the role of the United States in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in the fight against insurgent groups such as Boko Haram.

Speaking on the issue, Dalung suggested that opposition to potential U.S. intervention could indicate complicity in the country’s security crisis.

“If the Americans are concerned and they want to intervene, and they are against the coming of the Americans, then it means they are responsible for what is happening to Nigerians,” he said.

However, he went further to argue that the presence of American forces may have exacerbated insecurity rather than improved it.
According to him,

“The coming of the Americans has even worsened the situation. The terrorists are more emboldened with the arrival of the Americans.

They have been more assertive and they have also been more aggressive in terms of attacks.”

He added, “So one will tend to want to want to wonder whether the coming of the Americans have added salt to injury. Because we have not had any efforts by the American troops.”

Dalung also questioned the effectiveness of surveillance technology reportedly deployed by U.S. forces, particularly drones.

“The drone they have been flying, I don't know where the drones exist. If the drones were effective, why could they not detect Boko Haram was moving to attack a military formation today in Maiduguri where they killed a Commander?” he said.
Continuing, he criticised what he described as a lack of visible results from such operations.

“Where were the drones, the terrorists move kinetically, that is, using motorcycle vehicles? If they had drones that the Americans brought, these drones did not see them.”

He further raised doubts about whether the drones were functioning optimally, stating,

“Could it be that these drones have been blinded from seeing the terrorists, so I think the issue of the presence of Americans in Nigeria has created more problems for the Nigerian security situation, compared to when they were not here, and I am confused as to what they are actually doing here.”

Dalung’s comments come amid ongoing debates over foreign military assistance and its effectiveness in addressing Nigeria’s complex security landscape, particularly in the North-East where insurgency and attacks on military formations have persisted.

In February, Nigeria and the United States agreed to deepen military cooperation following growing concerns over terrorist threats in West Africa, leading to the deployment of a small team of U.S. troops to Nigeria.

The agreement was confirmed by the head of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, who said both countries concluded that existing efforts were not sufficient to address evolving security challenges in the region.

The renewed cooperation came weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes in December on what he described as Islamic State targets in Nigeria.

Trump had also warned at the time that further American military action could follow, signalling a tougher U.S. posture toward extremist groups operating in West Africa.

Speaking at a media briefing , Anderson said discussions between Washington and Abuja resulted in an understanding that closer collaboration was necessary, culminating in the deployment of U.S. personnel to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.

"That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson told journalists.

While confirming the agreement, the AFRICOM commander declined to provide details on the size of the U.S. team, its specific role, or the duration of its presence in Nigeria. He also did not disclose whether the troops would be involved in combat operations or play advisory and support roles.

The U.S. deployment marked the first official acknowledgement of American troops operating on Nigerian soil since the December airstrikes.

He urged other stakeholders, particularly truckers and others, not to sabotage the strategic drive of rail linkages,

as they too have a role to play in taking the raw materials from the farmlands to the ports, and in taking the freight imported through the ports to the final destinations by roads from the freight yards.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Senate President David Mark, has constituted a 22-member National Convention Central Coordination Committee despite the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission on the party’s leadership.

The committee will oversee preparations for the party’s national convention scheduled for next Tuesday.

INEC had last week stopped recognising Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC, even as factional groups have arisen in the opposition party.
But the national body, which had accused INEC of partisanship and working for the ruling party, is insisting that it will go ahead with the conventions, having informed the electoral body of its intention, which the party said was the requirement.

Owing to this, its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stressed that the planned national convention of the party would hold Tuesday, April 14.

The spokesman of the ADC told THISDAY that as part of the planning for the convention, the party has constituted a 22-member National Convention Central Coordination Committee (NCCCC).

The committee would be chaired by former Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, with former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, as Vice Chairman, while Dr. Ajuji Ahmed is to serve as Secretary.
The central committee would be supported by 339 members distributed across 11 standing committees, barring any last-minute changes.

THISDAY gathered that other members of the central planning committee include former Imo State Governor, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; retired Commissioner of Police, Tajudeen Bakare; Aminu Abubakar Gwarzo; Hon. Emeka Nwajuba; Solomon Lalong, among others.

The 11 committees include the Legal and Convention Processes Committee, with Olumide Akpata as Chairman-designate, Lilian Oraogbu as Vice Chairman, and Hon. Chille Wanger Igbawua as Secretary.

Other committees are Programmes and Events Sub-committee, chaired by Senator Victor Umeh; Medical Sub-committee, chaired by Dr. Tony Nwoye; Entertainment Sub-committee, chaired by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Protocol Sub-committee, headed by Senator Gilbert Nnaji; Welfare Sub-committee, led by Senator Mohammed Ogoshi, and New Media Sub-committee, chaired by Hon. Afam Ogene
The Delegates and Accreditation Committee would be headed by Senator Ireti Kingibe, while Senator Austin Ibrahim will chair the Finance Committee.

The Media and Publicity Committee would be led by Senator Lawal Adamu Usman, the Venue Sub-committee by Senator Binos Yaroe, and the Security Sub-committee by AVM Suleiman Adamu (Rtd).

The David Mark-led ADC vowed to proceed with its planned national convention despite INEC’s stance and repeated warnings, even as the crisis in the party deepens.

The party has also accused the electoral body of partisanship, insisting that its chairman and national commissioners should resign.

ADC had further alleged that INEC’s actions pose a threat to democracy and are aimed at weakening opposition parties in pursuit of a one-party state under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The party maintained that INEC lacks the constitutional authority to interpret court rulings as it deems fit.

helinues:
USA caring about christians when almost quarter of Americans have abandoned religion. If Christianity is really thriving in USA, the number of the gay and lesbian would have reduced

givedemwotowoto:
I don't expect less from a Tinubu supporter.

A country where tens and sometimes hundreds of deaths were occurring daily (grossly unreported/underreported) before the President of the U.S. brought global attention to the dire security situation in Nigeria.

But a Tinubu supporter will shamelessly come and ask a silly question like this, trying to blame the U.S. President for the gross incompetence of a President they support to run for re-election.

helinues:
The Us lawmakers have collected money from the Us companies who are into mining. That's why some of them have been insisting on christian persecution in Nigeria even though they never stepped a foot in Nigeria .

Same tactics was used in Eastern Congo. South Africa, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda have been the one holding ground for the USA companies in Congo. The Chinese have been stylishly sacked from there

helinues:
Bro before the USA even made the ridiculous christian percecution story, it was the Chinese they initially accused of sponsoring some of the attacks but when we didn't buy the story, they came with christian persecution

What precisely is their presence in Nigeria if the attacks on Christian communities are increasing.

It's what I am thinking, they have been part of it

loveth360:
South East have always been peaceful.

So it been peaceful is not the making of your so called military.

Insecurity in East for few years was false flag operations that why it cool now.
I know you are not wise enough to know that.


As for Simon ekpa, he's boy your government, he's agent of provocateur.


You see how your general and soldiers collected yesterday, that's how they will collecting.



No peace for wicked.



Trump should allow your prodigal sons to be prodigal to your military and your people in North and South West 🤣😂😂😂

jmoore:
You guys were celebrating that it was an advisory role, that US troops won't be involved directly.
So better join Nigeria army and talk to your Tinubu.

helinues:
It has worsen. How are we sure the USA are not behind it.

Should attacks on christian communities still increase even with the USA presence in Nigeria

jmoore:
These Tinubu supporters are blaming Trump. They voted for Tinubu and they are blaming Trump.

Tinubu is a weapon fashioned against Nigeria. Master strategist ko master babablu ni.

loveth360:
I don't even want Trump to intervene yet.



Make una prodigal sons show una prodigal life in full over there in North and South West.

You think I'm among those that want Trump to help Nigeria 🤣😂😂


If he's not coming for division of Nigeria,let him allow your prodigal sons be

MarketDispatch:
FID means: the point at which investors officially approve funding for a major project after feasibility studies, regulatory approvals, and financial modeling are completed.

And that is next year. Not this year

loveth360:
The question Why can't your pythons dance in Northern Nigeria?

In December 2025, US military strikes ISWAP Camp in Sokoto. The hopes of many were brightened as the beginning of the end of the terrorists in Nigeria.

In February 2026, 200 US troops arrived in Nigeria equipped with multiple MQ-9 drones for intelligence support. However, with events unfolding, it appears that terrorists at all levels are becoming bolder and daring than they ever were.

The successive attacks on communities, civilians and military bases leave much questions on the effectiveness of US Military presence in Nigeria.

Sceptics are pointing at the antecedent of US military interventions in several other countries leaving them with an aftermath of more ruins than they met them.

ddippset:
That's the mischief in you.

INEC can do whatever they want, you seem to think they are a commission from heaven!

No sir they are not. They are at best a department in the Presidency...and APC.
Tinubu orders them to do whatever he wants them to do.

I insist the chairman of any political party is not determined by whomever INEC chooses to recognize.
It is whom the party tells INEC to recognize.

And in the case of litigation, it is whomever the court orders INEC to recognize.

The Appeal Court is very clear on this;; the reason why Bala went to court is because David Mark was sitting on the seat.

Then the court tells Bala and everyone maintain status quo.

Who would help me paint a picture for this dude to understand this very very very simple matter abeg 😂?

Anyway,, this would be my last response for tonight..

But I promise to educate you more in the morning,,,if you yarn another opata!

ddippset:
You're still playing ostrich right?

It is the Court that will tell INEC what to do and not the other way round.

Nafiu went to court to challenge David Mark being Chairman and the court said maintain status quo.
That has only one meaning,,, maintain David Mark until the case is heard...that is what INEC should obey.


I repeat;:::

The court tells INEC what to do,,
INEC doesn't tell the court what to do.

seunmsg:
They are not serious. They are trying to box INEC to a corner with this suit. Now I get why they are intensifying campaign and propaganda against INEC. INEC will be reluctant to argue against the reliefs. If Bala Gombe is not party, he better quickly file to be joined as a party.

helinues:
Imagine the so called veteran politicians losing sleep because of Bala who is a junior in politics

That shows how clueless and unserious they are

ddippset:
How does all this useless epistle stop INEC from respecting status quo ante bellum ordered by the appeal court of higher jurisdiction?

helinues:
They met a buffalo dead at the river bank and quickly brought out a knive without inquiring what killed it

When did Mark join ADC that he want to be parading himself as the chairman?