The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports suggesting that United States troops have been deployed to Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, the DHQ said that Nigeria only maintains a long-standing security partnership with the United States, stressing that the cooperation does not involve the deployment of foreign troops on Nigerian soil.
The clarification came as several media outlets reported that the U.S. has sent a small team of military personnel to Nigeria to assist in counter-terrorism efforts, marking the first acknowledged U.S. ground presence following a series of incidents over the past months.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, commander of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), confirmed that a “small team” has been dispatched in agreement with Nigerian authorities to bolster collaborative efforts against extremist threats. The unit is reported to be providing specialised capabilities and intelligence support to Nigerian forces, though specific numbers and mission details have not been disclosed.
The DHQ said a recent two-day Working Group meeting between senior U.S. officials and Nigerian counterparts, held at the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja, fed into discussions about strengthening cooperation mechanisms, improving operational coordination and enhancing civilian protection. These proposals remain under review by relevant authorities in Nigeria.
Analysts say U.S. involvement in Nigeria reflects broader regional security dynamics, as armed groups such as Boko Haram and factions linked to the Islamic State continue to wreak violence across northern and north-central states, complicating Nigeria’s longstanding counter-insurgency efforts.
The Defence Headquarters reiterated that all partnerships are “transparent, policy-driven and aligned with constitutional provisions,” reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity while working with credible partners to strengthen its security architecture without compromising national independence.
