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By Goli Innocent
The Defence Headquarters has said that military training, intelligence and operational support provided to Nigeria by the United States come at no financial cost to the country.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this while briefing journalists on operations conducted against terrorists and other criminal elements in February 2026. He said the assistance is delivered through the United States Africa Command as part of Washington’s global counterterrorism policy.
According to him, the presence of US troops in Nigeria is strictly a partnership arrangement focused on training and intelligence sharing. “It is the policy of the United States to fight terrorism globally. Their presence in Nigeria is at no cost. The training assistance is at no cost,” he said.
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Onoja attributed the recent surge in attacks and kidnappings in Adamawa State and parts of the North-West to terrorists fleeing sustained military offensives, rather than fresh infiltration into those areas. He said pressure from Nigerian troops, supported by US collaboration, has forced armed groups to relocate.
He assured Nigerians that operations are intensifying and that troops are closing in on insurgents. While sympathising with victims of recent attacks, he maintained that security forces remain on top of the situation and are determined to flush out terrorists wherever they hide.
On the issue of state governments negotiating peace deals with armed groups, Onoja noted that although Nigeria operates a federal system, such arrangements must involve national security authorities, including the Office of the National Security Adviser. He also said concerns surrounding the Operation Safe Corridor deradicalisation programme are under review by relevant stakeholders.
