The United States has said there were no plans to build its military base in Nigeria, as claimed in some quarters of the West African country.
Jerrymusa.com reports that the US has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with Nigeria to ensure the security of its citizens.
David Greene, the US chargé d’affaires in Nigeria, made this clear while responding to reports that the US and French governments were seeking to establish military bases in the country.
Plans to Deply Troops
Some Northern leaders had claimed that the two superpowers were seeking to sign new defense deals with Nigeria, allowing them to redeploy troops expelled from the Sahel region.
In a letter to President Bola Tinubu, these leaders warned that foreign military bases would exacerbate already strained relations with neighboring French-speaking countries.
However, Greene dismissed these reports as untrue and unclear in their origin. “I’m unaware of any such conversation, and I’m unsure whose interests it serves to stir up this issue,” Greene stated.
“We will continue our robust security cooperation with Nigerian security services, military, and government, always guided by partnership and mutual respect.”
Greene also highlighted the US government’s prioritization of strategic investments in Nigeria’s health and humanitarian sectors. “We have a five-year assistance agreement worth $2.5 billion, with additional funding as available.
In recent years, we’ve significantly increased our humanitarian assistance, reaching nearly $300 million annually, with variations up to $900 million or $1.2 billion in some years. We’re proud of our cooperative efforts.