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Nigerian Defence Minister Christopher Musa has clarified that United States troops have not been withdrawn from Nigeria, saying only a special forces team that conducted a specific operation has left, while the training contingent remains.
In an exclusive interview with News Central, Musa responded to recent reports that the US had pulled out 200 soldiers from the country.
“They didn’t pull out. What happened is that because of that, we started this last year together with the UK team, with the US team. And now training, they’re enhancing our capacity for training, we’re doing joint intelligence exercises,” Musa said.
He explained that a special forces team was brought in for a specific operation and left after its completion.
“They came in, did the operation, and they’re the ones that left. The training team is still there. We’re still working together with them,” the minister said.
“We have Nigerian Army training team in Gambia. We have Nigerian Army training team in Sierra Leone…”
Minister of Defence Christopher Musa says sustained international cooperation and national unity remain essential to defeating terrorism.
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Musa said such collaborations are routine among militaries globally.
“We have Nigerian Army training team in Gambia. We have Nigerian Army training team in Sierra Leone. We equally do training with other countries together. We do exercises with other countries,” he said.
Speaking on the recent assassination of Abu-Bilal al-Manuki, described as a senior Islamic State commander, the minister said the operation was precise and demonstrated the value of advanced technology and equipment.
“It was precise at one point. And why they were able to achieve that is, they (US Troops)have the equipment, they have the technology, they have centralised equilibrium and so many things that we don’t have. So that’s why their presence in supporting us is really making a difference,” Musa said.
He said the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Manuki, who was reportedly the director of global operations for ISIS, had caused confusion within terrorist ranks.
“They wanted to turn especially Africa as the new frontier for them. And so taking him out now has actually affected their ability, their ability and capabilities to continue to fight. And it has caused a lot of confusion within their ranks,” he said.
The minister said nearly 200 terrorists were also killed in the operation.
Responding to questions about US President Donald Trump’s characterisation of the conflict as “Christian genocide,” Musa said all Nigerians, regardless of religion, are victims of terrorism.
“Yes, Christians have been killed. Also, Muslims and non-religious people. Everybody is a victim,” he said.
He warned against framing the conflict in religious terms, saying it could create additional problems in Nigeria.
“Once you start bringing religion into it, you know how Nigeria is. It creates another problem that might go beyond what we think about,” Musa said.
