February 19, 2026 — The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has thrown his weight behind the recent deployment of United States military personnel to Nigeria, describing the move as a masterstroke for the country’s national interest.
Speaking to reporters the Hon. affirmed that the presence of American forces is a crucial step in dismantling the networks of insurgency, banditry, and violent crime that have long plagued the nation.
Agbese highlighted the arrival of approximately 100 American soldiers in Bauchi State as evidence of Nigeria’s growing diplomatic and military credibility. He noted that unlike past arrangements, the current collaboration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is built on “strategic clarity and mutual respect.”
“For the first time in a long while, Nigeria is engaging a major global power like the United States from a position of strength,” Agbese stated. “This is not just symbolic; it is a practical partnership designed to protect Nigerian lives.”
The lawmaker clarified the specific nature of the U.S. presence to address concerns over national sovereignty. Key points of the deployment include:
Non-Combat Role: U.S. personnel are restricted to training, technical support, and intelligence sharing.
Targeting Terror: The focus remains on neutralizing Boko Haram, ISWAP, and specialized criminal gangs.
Technical Edge: The partnership provides the Nigerian Armed Forces with access to advanced surveillance and detection capabilities.
Agbese also used the platform to commend the “new energy” within Nigeria’s own military hierarchy. He credited Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede and the various Service Chiefs for improving troop morale and inter-agency coordination.
According to Agbese, the successful precision airstrikes on terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State last December served as a precursor to this collaboration, proving Nigeria’s resolve to eliminate safe havens for insurgents.
The deployment comes at a time of complex security challenges, including kidnapping in the North-West and farmer-herder clashes in the Middle Belt. By integrating U.S. intelligence with Nigerian ground operations, the government aims to “shrink the space for impunity” for those financing and executing acts of terror.
