US personnel withdrawal routine won’t affect counterterrorism cooperation – DHQ

US Personnel Withdrawal Routine, Won’t Affect Counterterrorism Cooperation — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters has said the reported withdrawal of about 200 United States personnel from Nigeria will not affect the country’s security cooperation with the US, describing the move as a routine adjustment linked to specific operational objectives.

Maj. Gen. S. Uba

The Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. S. Uba, stated this on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the joint security spokespersons’ briefing.

Uba said the withdrawal should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of the longstanding security partnership between Nigeria and the United States.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the reported withdrawal of about 200 United States personnel should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of the Nigeria-United States security partnership,” he said.

According to him, the relationship between both countries remains “strong, enduring and mutually beneficial.” He noted that the deployment of American personnel was linked to specific operational and counterterrorism objectives.

“The decision to draw down personnel is therefore part of the evolving nature of that engagement. Elements of the United States security partnership, particularly intelligence cooperation, training and information sharing, will continue,” Uba added.

He stressed that the responsibility for defending Nigeria and protecting its citizens rests primarily with Nigerian security forces, while noting that cooperation with the US is aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the Nigerian military.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria has consistently maintained that the responsibility for the defence of Nigeria and the protection of its citizens rests primarily with Nigerian security forces,” the DDI said.

He explained that the bilateral security partnership covers intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance and other forms of professional military cooperation.

“Our cooperation with the United States is designed to strengthen our capabilities through intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance and other forms of professional military cooperation,” he said.

Uba disclosed that where Nigeria and the US jointly assessed the need for additional interventions, including joint strikes, such operations were undertaken.

“Where it is jointly assessed that additional efforts, including joint strikes, are required, we do that,” he stated.

The defence spokesman said the partnership had continued to yield positive results in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats.

“Indeed, the Nigeria-United States partnership has continued to produce valuable outcomes in the fight against terrorism and other transnational security threats,” he said.

Uba urged the media and members of the public not to interpret the adjustment in the presence of foreign military personnel as an indication of weakened security cooperation or diminished Nigerian defence capability.

“We equally call on the media and the Nigerian public to avoid interpreting a routine or mission-specific adjustment in foreign military presence as evidence of a collapse in Nigerian security cooperation or national defence capability,” he said.

He reiterated that the Nigeria-US security relationship remained enduring and that cooperation in areas of mutual interest was expected to continue.

The clarification came after US officials said most of the additional forces deployed for the Lake Chad operation had returned following the completion of their mission, while intelligence sharing and broader security cooperation with Nigeria would continue.