Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the presence of United States military personnel in the country but clarified that they are not deployed for combat operations.
The military high command said the American troops are in Nigeria strictly in an advisory and support capacity, focusing on intelligence sharing, capacity building, professional military education, logistics support and strategic dialogue with Nigerian security forces.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, made the clarification on Thursday in response to public concerns and media reports suggesting that US troops had been deployed for ground combat operations in Nigeria.
He stressed that the cooperation between both countries is aimed at addressing shared security challenges, including terrorism and other transnational threats.
The confirmation followed an earlier disclosure by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), which revealed on Tuesday that a small team of American military personnel had been deployed to Nigeria as part of ongoing security cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking during a virtual press briefing, AFRICOM Commander, General Dagvin Anderson, said the deployment was made at the request of the Nigerian government and was focused on providing specialised intelligence assistance to support counter-terrorism efforts.
“Our partnership with Nigeria is a great example of a willing and capable ally that requested unique capabilities only the United States can provide,” Anderson said, adding that the mission is advisory in nature and aligned with mutual security objectives.
Major General Uba reassured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) maintains full operational control and that the country’s sovereignty remains intact.
He noted that Nigeria has a long-standing and structured security partnership with the United States, conducted within existing bilateral frameworks and based on mutual respect.
“All engagements are conducted in full respect of Nigeria’s sovereignty and in accordance with existing bilateral agreements,” Uba said in a statement.
He explained that recent high-level engagements between officials of both countries included a two-day Working Group meeting held at the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.
The meeting, he said, followed earlier discussions in the United States and reflected a mature, trust-based relationship focused on practical security outcomes.
According to Uba, discussions during the engagements centred on proposals to strengthen cooperation mechanisms, improve coordination and enhance accountability in joint efforts to counter violent threats while ensuring the protection of civilians.
He added that the proposals are still under consideration by the appropriate Nigerian authorities.
Uba further stated that Nigeria’s engagement with international partners is guided strictly by national interest, measurable outcomes and the protection of the country’s sovereignty.
He reiterated the military’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity while working with credible partners to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
Earlier, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, also addressed public concerns, explaining that the US 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 enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to combat terrorism and insurgency, particularly in areas affected by banditry and violent extremism.
He declined to disclose details such as the size of the team, their locations or duration of stay, citing security reasons.
“Their role is purely supportive,” the minister said, emphasising that Nigerian forces remain fully in charge of all operations and decision-making on the ground.
Meanwhile, security experts and legal practitioners have weighed in on the development.
A security and intelligence expert, Abdullahi Garba, said the presence of US forces would not be harmful to Nigeria if it was approved by the government.
He noted that foreign military deployments typically occur with the consent of host governments and urged Nigerians to allow the situation to unfold.
Legal experts also argued that Nigeria’s security challenges could justify such cooperation.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dayo Akinlaja, said safeguarding the security and welfare of citizens falls within the executive’s constitutional responsibilities, while another lawyer, Obioma Ezenwobodo, said the deployment aligns with international law when limited to technical and intelligence support.
The Defence Headquarters has continued to assure Nigerians that the country’s defence partnerships remain transparent, policy-driven and firmly anchored on national sovereignty.
