The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that recent military support from the United States to Nigeria was provided free of charge.
Speaking at a briefing in Abuja, Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, explained that the collaboration is focused on training Nigerian troops and reinforcing ongoing counter-terrorism operations. He noted that such partnerships are not unusual, likening the arrangement to instances where Nigerian military personnel travel abroad for specialised training.
Onoja stated that the US government’s involvement is part of its broader commitment to combating terrorism globally. He stressed that Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain fully intact, assuring that no aspect of the country’s independence has been compromised.
He added that theatre commanders and chief security officers in affected regions are actively coordinating efforts to prevent further security breaches. According to him, the public should focus on the operational benefits of the partnership rather than the presence or number of foreign personnel.
On February 16, the DHQ confirmed that approximately 100 US military personnel, along with equipment, arrived at Bauchi airfield. The deployment followed a security agreement between Nigeria and the United States.
The Defence Director of Information, Samaila Uba, explained that the federal government formally requested assistance from the US, particularly in areas of military training, technical expertise, and intelligence sharing to strengthen the capacity of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
