DHQ Says US Personnel Withdrawal Will Not Affect Nigeria Counterterrorism Partnership

The Defence Headquarters says the planned withdrawal of about 200 United States personnel from Nigeria will not weaken security cooperation between both countries.

Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, said on Tuesday that the movement was a routine adjustment linked to specific operational objectives, not a breakdown in the Nigeria-US partnership.

Uba spoke during a joint security spokespersons briefing at the National Counter Terrorism Centre. He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained in active cooperation with the United States on counterterrorism and wider security matters.

The clarification followed questions over reports that the US was reducing some personnel in Nigeria. DHQ said the development should not be read as the end of military support or intelligence cooperation.

The military also said Nigeria would keep working with partners while building domestic capacity to respond to terrorism, insurgency and other security threats.

Sources: Punch, Premium Times