• Gunmen abduct Kano APC chieftain

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that the planned withdrawal of the 200 United States (U.S.) soldiers earlier deployed in Nigeria on counter-terrorism operations was part of the evolving nature of their engagement.

The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, clarified in Abuja yesterday during a media briefing by spokespersons of security agencies at the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Meanwhile, bandits reportedly killed an Almajiri during an attack on the Rogo Local Council Area of Kano State on Monday and abducted the council Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Beli.

An eyewitness said Beli was abducted from his house during an overnight invasion of his Beli Village near Zarewa town.

Also confirming the development, the state APC Publicity Secretary, AuwaluSojo, told The Guardian that Beli was kidnapped shortly after he returned from a party engagement in the neighbouringZarewa community, adding that security agencies have been deployed on a search and rescue mission.

However, Uba, who was responding to questions, said that elements of the U.S. security partnership, particularly intelligence cooperation, training and information sharing, would continue.

The main body of U.S. troops, deployed earlier this year to North-Eastern Nigeria to support counter-terrorism efforts, especially intelligence sharing, targeting support, and training related to militant groups in the Lake Chad Basin, would be pulled out by late September, leaving behind a smaller advisory and intelligence team.

Uba said the troops’ planned withdrawal had generated considerable interest, thereby prompting the clarification.

According to him, the cooperation “is designed to strengthen our capabilities through intelligence sharing, training, technical assistance, and other forms of professional military cooperation. Where it is jointly assessed that additional efforts, including joint strikes, are required, we do that.”