Insecurity: Lawmakers split over Ndume’s support for US troops deployment

Members of the House of Representatives have expressed divergent opinions following Senator Ali Ndume’s call for the deployment of United States troops to Nigeria to support the fight against insurgency and banditry in the North-East.

Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, had during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today backed the presence of American forces, arguing that Nigeria must take advantage of international assistance to address worsening insecurity. According to him, previous attempts to secure such support had not yielded results, making the current opportunity significant.

“The fact that the Americans are now helping us fight insurgency is a welcome development,” Ndume said, noting that a shortage of critical resources had continued to hinder Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.

His position, however, has sparked debate among federal lawmakers, with some backing the idea while others warn about sovereignty concerns and the long-term implications of foreign troop involvement.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, said discussions should focus on the role and technical contributions of the foreign personnel rather than their number. He explained that the presence of about 200 US troops in Nigeria is primarily centred on training, intelligence sharing, and technological support for the Armed Forces.

“The issue is not additional or fewer numbers, but what role and capabilities they are bringing to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” Benson stated. He added that capacity building and advanced equipment could strengthen Nigeria’s ability to combat insurgency effectively.

However, some lawmakers and political analysts have expressed reservations, arguing that foreign troop deployment could raise questions about national sovereignty and may not address the root causes of insecurity. They urged the Federal Government to prioritise investment in local military capacity, community policing, and intelligence gathering.

Security experts note that international collaboration has long been part of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy, particularly through training missions and joint exercises with allied nations. The debate over expanded foreign troop involvement comes amid renewed attacks by insurgent groups and growing calls for stronger security interventions across the country.

As insecurity remains a major national concern, the differing views within the National Assembly highlight the broader policy dilemma facing Nigeria — balancing external support with domestic control of security operations. Further discussions are expected as lawmakers continue consultations with defence authorities and the executive arm of government.