The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has lauded the deepening security partnership between Nigeria and the United States, describing the recent deployment of 100 American soldiers to Bauchi State as a major boost to the country’s fight against insurgency and other violent crimes.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Agbese said the collaboration signals a turning point in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, noting that the US personnel are in the country to provide intelligence support and train Nigerian forces to combat terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), as well as criminal gangs terrorizing communities across the country.
“For the first time in a long while, Nigeria is engaging a major global power like the United States from a position of strategic clarity and mutual respect,” Agbese said. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated bold leadership in repositioning our security architecture and strengthening international alliances.”
He commended the synergy between the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Service Chiefs, and frontline troops, noting that the renewed vigour within the military has strengthened coordination, morale, and operational effectiveness.
Agbese also highlighted the successes of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, pointing to precision airstrikes against terrorists in Sokoto State and coordinated operations across the North-East and North-West, which have neutralized scores of insurgents and criminal kingpins.
The lawmaker emphasized that the US troop deployment, though non-combatant, would enhance Nigeria’s technical capabilities, intelligence gathering, and ability to protect vulnerable communities. He dismissed claims that the presence of American soldiers undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty, stressing that the deployment was at the request of the Nigerian government and aligned with national interests.
“This collaboration reinforces the fact that Nigeria is not alone in this fight,” he said. “Those financing and aiding terrorism, whether locally or internationally, must understand that the space for impunity is rapidly shrinking.”
Agbese described the Nigeria–US security partnership as part of a broader strategy by the Tinubu administration to strengthen national security and restore Nigeria’s strategic relevance on the global stage.
