Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), on Thursday gave insight into the presence of United States (U.S.) troops in Nigeria, saying they are in the country for training and technological support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
General Musa told The Nation newspapers at the Ministry of Defence (Ship House), Abuja that both the American and Nigerian militaries were working together in certain areas in Bauchi State, adding that the Federal Government permitted their presence for that purpose.
According to the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): “Yes, some of them came. We’re working together. I don’t know about Borno, but I know they have permission to come into some certain areas in Bauchi to help us in training because of the fight we’re doing.
“They’re going to help with technology. The U.S. has very good technology. They have drones. They have the satellite, which is very critical for us.
“Collaboration is something every country does. We’re in Liberia to do that. We’re in Sierra Leone to do for other countries. We’re in Tanzania. We’re in Burma. We did for other countries.
“So now we need the help because the terrorists are everywhere, especially since the Sahel is broken. The whole thing started when Libya fell.
“Too many arms, too many criminals and then got into us. So, that’s what we’re facing. That’s why we need all the good support of friendly nations to confront it.”
Assuring Nigerians that the Nigeria-U.S. military partnership was for a short term, General Musa added that there was an agreement guiding its operations.
“Whatever we’re doing is based on agreement. They respect our sovereignty. They understand that. We have told them in clear terms. Whatever we’re doing is going to be for a short time. Once we finish the objective, we have to move,” he added.
