by The Ajasa News | February 27, 2026 8:23 pm
By Martin Odiete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has clarified that the presence of United States military personnel in Nigeria is strictly for training and capacity-building, stressing that the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain fully protected.
The Director of Defence Information, Major General Michael Onoja, made the clarification on Friday while responding to questions from journalists during the presentation of the Nigerian military’s operational report for February across various theatres of operation.
Onoja said Nigeria appreciates the support of the United States Government in assisting the Nigerian military to tackle insecurity and restore peace across the country.
According to him, the assistance is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to combat terrorism and create a secure environment where citizens can live without fear.
He explained that the support from the United States aligns with its global counter-terrorism policy of pursuing terrorist threats wherever they exist in order to protect its national interests.
The defence spokesman urged the public not to focus on the number of foreign personnel in the country but rather on the value they add to ongoing military operations.
“The number of personnel should not be the focus. What is important is the value they bring. In the last two months, they have added value to our operations,” Onoja said.
He assured Nigerians that the collaboration does not compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national security remain intact. Nobody is giving away our sovereignty,” he said.
Onoja further clarified that the foreign personnel are primarily in the country to provide specialized training to Nigerian troops, noting that similar training arrangements occur when Nigerian military personnel attend courses abroad.
He explained that the training programme does not necessarily require extensive interaction with the media, emphasizing that it should be viewed as a routine professional engagement.
The Defence Headquarters also spoke on plans to review the military’s deradicalisation initiative, Operation Safe Corridor, which was established to rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant insurgents who voluntarily surrender.
Onoja said the programme was initiated by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the federal government, state governments and relevant ministries to address the challenge of reintegrating former insurgents into society.
He acknowledged that while the initiative had recorded notable successes, there were also challenges that necessitate a comprehensive review.
According to him, discussions are already underway with the programme’s coordinator to assess the initiative and introduce improvements.
He added that the review would involve the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the Borno State government under what he described as the “Borno model”.
Onoja noted that public concerns about the reintegration of repentant insurgents are being taken seriously, stressing that the military is committed to ensuring that the process aligns with national security interests.
He also explained that under the laws of armed conflict, insurgents remain Nigerian citizens and may still be subject to legal accountability for their actions.
According to him, the review process will soon produce new operational directives that will guide the future implementation of Operation Safe Corridor.
He assured Nigerians that the military remains committed to addressing insurgency while balancing security considerations with rehabilitation efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in affected communities.
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