The Defence Headquarters has moved to allay concerns surrounding Nigeria’s security relationship with the United States, following growing public speculation about the alleged deployment of American troops on Nigerian soil.
Providing clarity in a statement issued on Thursday, the 5th of February, 2026, in Abuja, the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, explained that Nigeria’s defence engagement with the United States is neither new nor secretive, describing it as a well-established partnership.
According to him, the cooperation is deliberately structured and centres on areas such as capacity development, professional military training, intelligence exchange, logistics assistance and sustained strategic dialogue.
Uba stressed that every aspect of the bilateral engagement is carried out with due regard for Nigeria’s sovereignty and operates strictly within the bounds of existing agreements between both nations.
He noted that a recently concluded two-day Working Group meeting, which brought together senior officials from the United States government and Nigerian counterparts at the Office of the National Security Adviser, was part of the routine cooperation framework.
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The defence spokesman added that the meeting followed earlier related engagements held in the United States, underscoring the continuity of discussions between both countries.
“Discussions at the meeting centred on proposals were aimed at strengthening cooperation mechanisms, improving coordination and enhancing accountability in joint efforts to counter terrorism and other transnational threats, while prioritising the protection of civilians and community safety.
“The proposals were still being reviewed by the relevant Nigerian authorities.
“Our partnerships remain transparent, policy-driven and aligned with constitutional provisions,” he said.