US troops are in Nigeria only on training assistance, says defence minister
Minister of Defence Christopher Musa says the United States troops are purely in Nigeria on training assistance, assuring that Nigerian troops will be in command of all operations in the country.
A statement by the minister’s special adviser on media, Timothy Antigha, said Musa spoke while presiding over the maiden edition of the ‘Monthly Operational Briefing’ in Abuja on Wednesday.
“The Americans are in Nigeria on a purely training assistance and advisory role,” Musa was quoted as saying, while assuring that the “armed forces of Nigeria will be in command of all operations conducted within the nation’s territory”.
The minister reviewed ongoing military operations, highlighted various threats to national security, and provided “strategic guidance to the armed services”.
“General Musa commended the professionalism, resilience, and gallantry of Nigerian troops and reaffirmed the commitment of his ministry to supporting troops’ welfare and improving the operational efficiency of the Armed Forces,” Antigha said.
In February, the United States dispatched 200 troops to Nigeria following a new security cooperation between both countries.
The deployment of the US troops has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians with some viewing the move as purely mortgaging Nigeria’s security.
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