Di Military High Command don talk say di deployment of 200 US soldiers for Nigeria dey related to operational and counterterrorism work, and dem clarify say di decision to reduce di number of soldiers na part of how di partnership dey change over time.

Di Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, make di clarification during briefing wey spokespersons of security agencies hold at di National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of di National Security Adviser (ONSA), for Abuja on Tuesday.

Wen dem ask am question during di briefing, Uba talk say some parts of di US security partnership, especially intelligence cooperation, training, and information sharing, go still continue.

Di US for early 2026, send di 200 soldiers to Nigeria for one limited counterterrorism mission, and di planned withdrawal mean say dem go pull di main body out by late September, but dem go leave small advisory and intelligence team behind.

Dem send di soldiers to northeast Nigeria to support counterterrorism efforts, especially intelligence sharing, targeting support, and training wey dey related to militant groups for di Lake Chad Basin. Di deployment na based on existing US security relationship with Nigeria, not say dem wan create full-scale combat presence.

Reports show say di mission produce useful intelligence and operational gains, including support for Nigerian forces against groups wey dey linked to Islamic State.

Uba talk say di planned withdrawal of di US 200 soldiers raise plenty interest as journalists and many Nigerians don ask for clarification on di matter.

Im talk say, "Di Armed Forces of Nigeria don always maintain say di responsibility to defend Nigeria and protect im citizens dey primarily for Nigerian security forces. Our cooperation with di United States na to strengthen our capabilities through intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance, and other forms of professional military cooperation."