US troops in Nigeria only on training assistance, says Christopher Musa

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has moved to clarify the nature of the American military presence in the country, insisting that US troops are operating purely in a training and advisory capacity and have no command authority over Nigerian forces.

Musa made the remarks on Wednesday while presiding over the inaugural edition of his ministry’s Monthly Operational Briefing in Abuja. “The Americans are in Nigeria on a purely training assistance and advisory role,” he said, adding that “the armed forces of Nigeria will be in command of all operations conducted within the nation’s territory.”

The statement comes amid lingering public unease over the extent of American involvement in Nigeria’s internal security operations. US ground troops arrived in Nigeria in February, following a new security cooperation agreement between the two countries. This arrangement was struck after President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” a classification typically applied to states accused of persecuting religious minorities.

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Trump had previously threatened to send troops into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing to wipe out the terrorists killing our Christians.” Then on Christmas Day last year, the US conducted air strikes against two terrorist enclaves in the Bauni forest in the Tangaza local government area of Sokoto State.

Nigeria’s federal government has consistently rejected allegations that Christians in the country face systematic persecution.

At Wednesday’s briefing, Musa reviewed ongoing military operations, assessed threats to national security, and issued strategic guidance to the armed services. He also praised Nigerian troops for their professionalism and resilience, and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to troops’ welfare and operational efficiency.