The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has expressed strong support for growing military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, describing it as a positive development in the country’s prolonged battle against insurgency.
Ndume shared his views during Friday’s edition of Politics Today, a flagship current affairs programme on Channels Television. According to the former Senate Chief Whip, Nigeria has long sought enhanced backing from the United States and should fully take advantage of the renewed collaboration.
“The fact that the Americans are now helping us fight insurgency is a welcome development. We have been looking for this support for a long time and have made many efforts to get it, but have failed,” he said.
“Now that we have this window of opportunity, we must utilize it. I have complained many times that our major setback in this fight is a lack of certain resources; now, America has agreed to provide those resources free of charge.”
Increased Nigeria–US Defence Collaboration
About a week earlier, General Dagvin Anderson, head of the United States Africa Command (Africom), disclosed that both countries had stepped up cooperation in defence and security matters.
“We agreed that we needed to work together on the way forward in the region,” Anderson said during a virtual press briefing.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States in order to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”
While Anderson did not provide detailed specifics of the partnership, there have been reports suggesting that around 200 US personnel are currently in Nigeria.
DHQ Clarifies Nature of Partnership
Amid public concerns about the presence of foreign troops, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) explained that the collaboration centres on strengthening local capacity rather than direct combat operations.
According to the military high command, the partnership includes professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics assistance, strategic dialogue, and broader capacity building initiatives.
In a statement, the DHQ Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, emphasised that all engagements with the United States are conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and within the framework of bilateral agreements.
General Uba reassured citizens that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain firmly committed to safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
Ndume echoed this clarification, stressing that US personnel are not directly involved in frontline combat operations.
“They are not engaging the enemy themselves. Instead, they are providing technological support and training,” he said.
“Furthermore, they are not operating independently; they are working under the leadership and command of the Nigerian Army”.
Broader Diplomatic Context
The renewed cooperation comes against the backdrop of diplomatic tensions in recent years. In 2025, US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing the “killing” of Christians. Trump warned that military measures could follow if the situation did not improve.
On Christmas Day, the United States carried out a military strike in Nigeria targeting terrorist elements. Both governments subsequently confirmed that the operation was jointly executed, with Nigeria contributing intelligence and additional support.
For Ndume, the strengthened alliance represents a strategic opportunity to reinforce Nigeria’s security capabilities and intensify efforts to eliminate insurgent threats, particularly in the North-East region, which has borne the brunt of extremist violence for over a decade.
What you should know
Ali Ndume has welcomed increased US military support in Nigeria’s fight against insurgency, calling it a timely and necessary intervention.
US Africa Command confirmed expanded collaboration, including the deployment of a small US team to provide specialised capabilities. Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters clarified that the partnership focuses on training, intelligence sharing, and logistics rather than direct combat.
Officials insist that all cooperation respects Nigeria’s sovereignty and operates under Nigerian military command. The renewed alliance follows prior diplomatic tensions and a jointly confirmed military strike targeting terrorists.
