Nigeria Military To Retain Full Control As US Troops Provide Training Support — Defence Minister
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has reassured Nigerians that the country’s armed forces remain fully in charge of all military operations within the nation’s territory despite the presence of United States troops.
The minister clarified that American soldiers currently in Nigeria are only providing training assistance and advisory support to Nigerian security forces.
Musa made this known during the maiden edition of the “Monthly Operational Briefing” held at the Ministry of Defence conference room in Abuja on Wednesday.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Timothy Antigha, the minister emphasized that the operational command of all security activities in Nigeria remains under the control of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“The Americans are in Nigeria on a purely training assistance and advisory role,” Musa was quoted as saying, adding that the Nigerian military will continue to lead and coordinate all operational activities within the country.
During the briefing, the defence minister also reviewed ongoing military operations across the country, assessed prevailing security threats, and provided strategic guidance to the armed services.
He commended Nigerian troops for their professionalism, resilience, and gallantry in confronting various security challenges nationwide.
According to the statement, the minister also reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Defence to enhancing the welfare of troops and improving the operational efficiency of the armed forces.
The presence of American soldiers in Nigeria follows a recent security cooperation agreement between the Nigerian government and the United States Government.
In February, the United States reportedly deployed ground troops to Nigeria as part of the new military collaboration arrangement between both countries.
The development came after former U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC), a classification that prompted renewed security engagement between the two nations.
