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Former senator Shehu Sani has welcomed security cooperation between the United States and Nigeria, describing it as a necessary measure in the country’s quest for peace.
Sani made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on The Morning Brief, following the arrival of US troops in Nigeria.
“We can’t continue to fold our arms while terrorists continue to slaughter and kidnap our people and then close our doors against support from other countries,” he said.
“The fight is our fight, but support is very much needed as long as it is a partnership.”
On Monday, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) confirmed the arrival of about 100 US military personnel and equipment in Nigeria.
DHQ spokesman Samaila Uba said the deployment followed a security agreement between Nigeria and the United States.
“The collaboration will provide access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to deter terrorists’ threats and enhance the protection of vulnerable communities across the country,” Uba said in a statement.
The development has drawn criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised over Nigeria’s territorial integrity. However, Sani, a former lawmaker from Kaduna State, said that while such concerns were understandable, the country faced a more pressing challenge.
“I have read the strong statement issued by my friends opposed to ‘foreign military presence’ in our country. I share their views on the need for us to protect our ‘sovereignty’,” he said.
“I understand their distrust and fears about the US troops on our soil. Unfortunately, our ‘sovereignty’ has already been violated by ‘foreign terrorists’ presence’.
“There is no military anywhere in the world that doesn’t cooperate with the militaries of other nations to achieve its objectives. Even superpowers have to work with others to achieve their goals.”
The arrival of US troops comes months after President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, because of the “killing” of Christians—a claim Nigerian authorities have rejected. Trump had warned of possible military action if the situation was not addressed.
In December, the United States carried out strikes targeting terrorists in Nigeria, an operation both countries said was jointly executed.
