Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has stated that the United States is providing military support to Nigeria at no cost.
The military said the US is offering training, intelligence and other operational assistance as part of efforts to combat terrorism.
Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters, briefed journalists on Friday on security operations conducted in February 2026.
He explained that the support is being channelled through the United States Africa Command as part of a partnership aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
“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.
He added, “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.”
Onoja also responded to the recent surge in attacks and kidnappings in Adamawa State and parts of the North-West.
He said the violence is not due to the emergence of new terrorist groups in those areas.
He assured Nigerians that the military is intensifying operations against armed 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,” he said.
He added that although the military sympathises with families who have lost loved ones, security forces are closing in on the attackers.
On reports of some state governments negotiating with armed groups, Onoja said,
“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.”
The Defence Headquarters also said it is aware of public concerns regarding some former militants who underwent the Operation Safe Corridor deradicalisation programme.
Onoja said the authorities, in collaboration with other stakeholders, are reviewing the programme and taking steps to address Nigerians’ concerns.
