Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has disclosed that military training, intelligence, and operational assistance provided by the United States is offered free of charge as part of Washington’s global counterterrorism policy.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, made the disclosure on Friday while briefing journalists on military operations conducted against terrorists and other criminal elements in February 2026.
According to him, the support is being delivered through the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) under a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.
“The presence of US troops in Nigeria is about partnership. They are here to assist the Nigerian military with training, intelligence, and other needed support,” Onoja said.
“It is the policy of the United States to fight terrorism globally. So their presence in Nigeria is at no cost. The training assistance is at no cost. The US government is only interested in combating terrorism.”
Addressing concerns over the recent surge in terrorist attacks and kidnappings in Adamawa State and parts of the North-West, the military spokesman said the incidents were not caused by fresh infiltration but by terrorists fleeing sustained military offensives.
“It is not a fresh infiltration of terrorists in those areas. The truth is that with the US support we are getting and the pressure from our troops’ offensives, the terrorists are fleeing to new places and trying to show relevance,” he stated.
Onoja assured Nigerians that military operations are intensifying and that security forces are closing in on insurgent groups.
“I assure you that attacks on the terrorists are being carried out by troops and the decimation of their activities is ongoing. At the end of the day, these terrorists will get tired, and we will smoke them out wherever they are. Though we sympathise with those who have lost loved ones in the hands of these terrorists, we are closing in on them. We are on top of the situation,” he said.
On reports of some state governments negotiating or entering peace deals with armed groups, he explained that while Nigeria operates a federal system that grants states certain powers, such agreements must involve national security authorities.
“Nigeria is a federation, and state governments, as federating units, have the right to enter into any agreement they wish. But they cannot do that without the knowledge of the National Security Adviser,” he added.
The Defence Headquarters also acknowledged public concerns regarding the conduct of some repentant militants who passed through the Operation Safe Corridor deradicalisation programme, noting that authorities and stakeholders are reviewing the initiative to address issues raised by citizens.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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