Nigeria Reaffirms US Security Ties Amid Troop Withdrawal

Nigeria has confirmed that the planned withdrawal of approximately 200 United States military personnel will not undermine the longstanding security partnership between Nigeria and the US. Major General Samaila Uba, Director Defence Information, clarified this during a Joint Security Press Briefing organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.

He stated that the drawdown should be viewed as a mission-specific adjustment rather than a decline in security cooperation or Nigeria's defense capabilities. Uba emphasized that key aspects of the bilateral security relationship, including intelligence cooperation, training, and technical assistance, will continue.

He also noted that the Nigerian Armed Forces do not negotiate with terrorists and do not support ransom payments, focusing instead on kinetic operations to combat terrorism. Uba reiterated that the police lead internal security operations, with the Armed Forces providing necessary support within their constitutional roles.