Nigeria's Defence Minister on U.S. Troops' Role Explained

On Wednesday, Defence Minister Musa addressed the presence of U.S. troops in Nigeria during a media briefing in Abuja. He assured that the Nigerian military will retain operational control within the nation's territory.

Musa explained that the American troops are in Nigeria purely for training and advisory roles, following a military collaboration agreement between the U.S. and Nigeria. This agreement was established to enhance security cooperation, particularly in light of various threats to national security.

The U.S. dispatched ground troops to Nigeria in February, as part of this new security partnership. Musa's statements were made during the inaugural monthly operational briefing of the ministry, where he highlighted ongoing military operations and provided strategic guidance for the armed services.