A recent deployment of United States troops to Nigeria has sparked public debate. However, a retired senior army officer has offered a sobering clarification.
Following the arrival of a small U.S. military team to assist Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, Major General Ijioma N. Ijioma (rtd) has warned Nigerians not to expect foreign soldiers on the battlefield.
Instead, he stressed that the responsibility of defeating insurgents rests squarely with Nigeria.
Last week, the U.S. confirmed sending a limited team to Nigeria.
The move was announced by the head of U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson. He said the deployment followed deeper collaboration after both countries agreed more needed to be done to curb terrorism in West Africa.
According to Anderson, the team would bring “some unique capabilities.” However, details about their size and scope were not disclosed. Meanwhile, security sources indicated the troops would focus mainly on intelligence and operational support.
Speaking on the development, the retired general said the US troops in Nigeria would not directly confront bandits or terrorists.
“The United States does not risk the lives of its soldiers for nothing,” he said, urging Nigerians to question the terms of the agreement.
Major General Ijioma accused Nigeria’s leadership of lacking the political will to decisively end insecurity. Moreover, he argued that Nigeria already has the capacity to defeat insurgents if there is real commitment.
“If the Federal Government had handled the 1967 Biafran insurgency with the same ‘kid gloves’ being used against bandits and Boko Haram today, there would have been a Biafra Republic by now,” he said.
Furthermore, he questioned why Nigerian fighter jets were deployed swiftly to Benin Republic during a coup scare. Meanwhile, bandits killing Nigerians daily remain largely unchecked.
“The strike the US carried out in Sokoto and Kwara is there anywhere our fighter jets could not have bombed?” he asked. “There is no place within Nigeria that our aircraft cannot reach.”
According to him, the involvement of US troops in Nigeria is limited to training, intelligence, and technical support. Therefore, battlefield operations remain Nigeria’s duty.
He also recalled past military cooperation under former President Olusegun Obasanjo. At the time, U.S. personnel reportedly had deep access to Defence Headquarters. That arrangement, he said, was strongly opposed by the late Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Victor Malu.
In addition, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Goodwin Nwobodo, warned that Nigeria must show seriousness. He said lack of cooperation could weaken international support.
