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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Friday, said that military assistance being provided by the United States government to Nigeria to curb activities of terrorists is at no cost and does not in any way undermine THE nation’s sovereignty.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Micheal Onoja, who made this known, said the support from the US is focused purely on training Nigerian troops and strengthening ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. He said that the collaboration should not be viewed as abnormal.
Gen. Onoja, at a media briefing on ongoing military operations across the country said “The American government is interested in combating terrorism and the assistance being rendered to Nigeria comes at no cost,”.
Onoja, while assuring that Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national security remains intact, maintained that no aspect of the country’s sovereignty has been compromised, urged the public to focus on the value the partnership adds to Nigeria’s operations rather than the number of foreign personnel involved in the operation.
“Our sovereignty is intact. Our territorial integrity is intact. Nobody is giving away our sovereignty,” he said.
While noting that the cooperation in the last two months has already yielded positive outcomes, with more results expected in the coming days, Gen. Onoja, explained that US personnel in the country are primarily engaged in training programmes, similar to arrangements where Nigerian officers travel abroad for training.
“There is no basis for concern. We go for training abroad all the time. This is simply a training programme,” he said.
He also assured that the military leadership, including theatre commanders and chief security officers in affected areas, remain on top of the security situation and are taking necessary steps to prevent further attacks.
Onoja, while calling on the media to report security developments responsibly, warned that excessive publicity of terrorist activities could serve the interests of insurgents by spreading panic.
Gen. Onoja, while Acknowledging concerns raised by members of the public over the Federal Government’s de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programme for surrendered insurgents, said the programme is currently under review as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy
programme.
He noted that while the initiative recorded significant success at inception, challenges had emerged over time.
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“Operation Safe Corridor, as you all know, was the Defence Headquarters’ policy in conjunction with the Borno State Government and relevant federal ministries to find a way to de-radicalise some of the elements who surrendered.
“For a period of time, that system achieved some significant success. As with everything, any human activity has some point of challenges. We do not deny that there are challenges, and we also acknowledge that there is a need for a review. In the laws of war, at the end of the day, the Boko Haram fighters are still considered Nigerians. They may have erred, and they will definitely account for whatever they have done. But if we have the opportunity to rehabilitate them, are we saying we should not.
“We are also as concerned as you and other members of the public. We have heard a lot of things the public is saying. I can assure you that the review will be done and you will hear our new operational directives for Operation Safe Corridor,”.
Answering journalists questions on concerns over state-level peace initiatives, Onoja, noted that while governors have powers to adopt security measures within their states, such actions must align with federal directives.
He said “Some states have the rights and the powers to take every action that will secure their states. However, I can tell you confidently that they will not be able to do that without the authorisation of the Office of the National Security Adviser,”.
He also said that the Armed Forces remain aligned with federal government policies.
“For us in the Armed Forces of Nigeria, any federal government policy, we are in line with it. And I’m sure that’s why you saw our troops also supervising those peace deals. So if the governor of a state has decided that that’s what he wants to do, of course, based on his own assessment of the security situation in the state, we will always support him. We don’t have any argument against it,” he said.
Recalled that On February 17, the DHQ confirmed the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel and associated equipment.
A statement by the Director, Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the deployment followed deliberations during a working group engagement between a Nigerian delegation and its United States counterpart.
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