The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has confirmed the presence of United States soldiers in Nigeria, explaining that their deployment is strictly for advisory and training purposes in support of Nigeria’s security operations.
Badaru disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, following rising public concern and speculation over the activities of foreign troops within the country.
According to him, the U.S. military personnel are not engaged in direct combat operations but are assisting Nigerian security agencies through intelligence sharing, capacity building, and technical support aimed at strengthening counter-terrorism efforts.
“The presence of U.S. soldiers in Nigeria is not new, and it is not for fighting on our behalf,” the minister said. “They are here to provide advisory support, training, and intelligence cooperation to help our armed forces improve their operational effectiveness.”
He stressed that the collaboration is being carried out under clearly defined agreements that respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and national interest.
Badaru noted that Nigeria has long-standing defence partnerships with several countries, including the United States, as part of efforts to address evolving security threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency.
“The security challenges we face today require international cooperation. No country can successfully fight terrorism in isolation,” he added.
The minister further explained that the U.S. support focuses on enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as improving logistics and operational planning for Nigerian forces.
He assured Nigerians that all foreign military activities in the country are conducted with the full knowledge and approval of the Federal Government, adding that such partnerships are subject to periodic review.
Badaru also commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria for recent gains recorded in operations against terrorist groups across different parts of the country, attributing the progress to improved coordination and sustained capacity building.
He urged the public to disregard misinformation and unverified reports surrounding foreign military presence in Nigeria, emphasizing that transparency remains a key priority of the Ministry of Defence.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and security nationwide, assuring that all measures being taken are geared toward safeguarding lives, property, and national sovereignty.
