Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (rtd), has clarified that the presence of United States military personnel in parts of the country is strictly for training and technological support.
The minister spoke yesterday during an exclusive interview with The Nation at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja, popularly known as the Ship House.
Addressing concerns over foreign military presence, Gen. Musa explained that collaboration between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the United States military is limited to specific operational needs, particularly in capacity building and technological enhancement.
“Yes, some of them came. We’re working together. I don’t know about Borno, but I know they have permission to come into certain areas in Bauchi to help us in training because of the fight we’re doing,” he said.
According to him, the Federal Government granted approval for the U.S. personnel to operate in designated locations in Bauchi State as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations and overall security architecture.
He stressed that the partnership focuses on improving the operational efficiency of Nigerian troops through advanced training and access to modern military technology.
“They’re going to help with technology. The U.S. has very good technology. They have drones. They have satellites, which are very critical for us,” the minister added.
Gen. Musa noted that enhanced surveillance capabilities, including drone operations and satellite intelligence, are essential tools in modern warfare, particularly in combating insurgency and banditry in challenging terrains.
Security analysts say such collaborations are not unusual, as countries often engage in joint training exercises and technical cooperation to bolster national defence capabilities.
The minister’s clarification comes amid public discussions about foreign military involvement in Nigeria’s security operations. He maintained that the partnership remains within the bounds of Nigeria’s sovereignty and is geared solely toward strengthening the nation’s fight against insecurity.
