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Insecurity: US won’t relocate Africa Command to Nigeria, others, Pentagon replies Buhari
The United States has said there is no plan to relocate its Africa Command from its current base in Germany to Nigeria or any other part of Africa despite the worsening state of insecurity in the region.
The US gave the response barely two weeks after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), appealed to the US government to consider relocating AFRICOM to Africa to assist Nigeria and other adjoining countries to combat worsening terrorism, banditry and other security crises.
The President made the plea in a virtual meeting with the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on April 27.
Germany-based Africa Command (AFRICOM) is the US military headquarters that oversees its operations in Africa.
Buhari’s request followed a series of recent military casualties in Nigeria’s decade-long fight against Boko Haram terrorists, fresh expansion of the insurgents’ bases to Niger and Nasarawa states, and heavy wave of abductions and killings by bandits in the North.
Buhari said, “The security challenges in Nigeria remain of great concern to us and impacted more negatively, by existing complex negative pressures in the Sahel, Central and West Africa, as well as the Lake Chad Region.
“Compounded as the situation remains, Nigeria and her security forces remain resolutely committed to containing them and addressing their root causes.
“The support of important and strategic partners like the United States cannot be overstated as the consequences of insecurity will affect all nations, hence the imperative for concerted cooperation and collaboration of all nations to overcome these challenges.
“In this connection, and considering the growing security challenges in West and Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea, Lake Chad region and the Sahel, weighing heavily on Africa, it underscores the need for the United States to consider relocating AFRICOM headquarters from Stuttgart, Germany to Africa and near the Theatre of Operation.”
However, the US government on Thursday ruled out any plan to relocate AFRICOM from its current base in Germany to Nigeria or any part of Africa.
According to the United States Department of Defence’ Pentagon, previous studies have shown that the cost of relocating AFRICOM from Germany to Africa is very huge.
In an emailed response to Saturday PUNCH, the Pentagon said although it would continue to value Nigeria and other countries in Africa as important partners, the American government would not consider relocating AFRICOM to any part of the African continent at the moment.
This newspaper had asked if the US would consider Nigeria’s request to relocate AFRICOM to the continent.
The US Pentagon spokesperson, Ms Cindi King, said, “Although there is an ongoing Global Posture Review, the relocation of Combatant Command headquarters is outside the scope of its assessment. In the case of AFRICOM, previous studies have concluded that the cost associated with the relocation of this headquarters is significant and likely to incur the expense of other engagement opportunities and activities that more directly benefit our valued African partners.
“We greatly value the partnership with Nigeria and appreciate President Buhari’s recognition of the United States’ positive contribution to African peace and security, as well as other regional partners that have made similar past pronouncements. The United States remains committed to continuing our close partnership with African countries and organisations to promote security and stability.”
It’s ‘near impossible’ for America to accept Buhari’s invitation – Campbell, ex-US ambassador
Meanwhile, a former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, has listed reasons why it is “unlikely or near impossible” for the US government to relocate AFRICOM from Stuttgart in Germany to Nigeria or any part of the continent.
He said aside from the fact that the cost of doing so is very huge, the Nigerian military had proved to be a difficult partner for the US over the years.
In an emailed interview with Saturday PUNCH, Campbell, who is the Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, a Washington, DC-based think-tank, said, “From an American perspective, moving AFRICOM’s headquarters after 14 years in Stuttgart would be a major undertaking.
“However, should the AFRICOM headquarters move, it is unlikely – if not impossible – that it would be to Africa, with its logistical challenges. Some in the US Congress support moving AFRICOM’s headquarters to the United States as a cost-effective alternative. For example, South Carolina’s senators, both Republican, have advocated moving it to Charleston, the site of large US military installations.
“It is mostly a matter of money. Moving AFRICOM to Africa would require the construction of a sophisticated installation in areas where the basic infrastructure may not yet have been developed. Moving it to the United States would mean making use of already existing but underused installation (e.g., perhaps Charleston) that could be quickly and more cheaply expanded, if necessary.”
The ex-envoy, however, said Buhari’s request marked a reversal of Nigeria’s official opposition to AFRICOM plans to move it to the continent 14 years ago.
“The shift likely reflects the conclusion that the security situation in West Africa and Nigeria is out of control, spurring a willingness to consider options hitherto unacceptable. Buhari argued that AFRICOM’s headquarters should be closer to the theatre of operations. He also seemed to imply greater US involvement in West African security, including a kinetic dimension in the context of greater Western support for West Africa’s response to its security threats.”
He recalled that when President George W Bush established AFRICOM in 2007, a military-civilian hybrid command in support of Africa, African official reaction was largely hostile, seeing the effort as “neo-colonialist.”
Campbell said, “The Nigerian government took the lead in persuading or strong-arming other African states against accepting the AFRICOM headquarters, which was thereupon established at Stuttgart, Germany, already the headquarters of the European Command.
“In addition to opposing AFRICOM in the first place, the Nigerian military authorities have been largely uncooperative with the US military. Hence, the US military involvement in Nigeria, beyond limited training operations, is minimal, and the country does not host any American defence installations.
“Successive Nigerian governments have wanted to purchase sophisticated American military equipment but have rejected US oversight. In fact, Nigerian purchases of US military materials have been rare, despite their high-profile, ultimately successful purchase of 12 A-29 Super Tucanos – sophisticated aircraft.”
Why US can’t relocate AFRICOM troops from Germany to Nigeria –Chatham House fellow
Corroborating Campbell’s view, an Associate Fellow at the United Kingdom-based Chatham House, Matthew Page, said there was no prospect of the US relocating its AFRICOM HQ from Germany to any part of Africa.
Chatham House, also known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute headquarters whose mission is to provide authoritative commentary on world events and offer solutions to global challenges.
Page said, “There is absolutely no prospect of this happening. A combatant command headquarters is an administrative node that requires enormous physical infrastructure and thousands of personnel (and their families) to sustain it. They need to be able to safely live, work, and send their children to school locally. The Nigerian government is unable to safeguard the lives of hard-working Nigerians, never mind a US military installation that would be a juicy target for a terrorist attack.
“With the exception of European Command and Africa Command – which for longstanding historical reasons are located and headquartered in Germany – all combatant commands are located in the United States. These commands do have forward elements and subordinate commands based in the theatre of operations, such as Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) based in Djibouti. But these typically are task-specific and have a light local footprint. The United States is not – and doesn’t want to be – an imperial power with permanent military outposts on the continent. Nor should African leaders be asking it to become one.”
Page, who was previously with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research, further said, “I am sure the Biden administration was puzzled by President Buhari’s invitation, given that Nigeria has been a reluctant and difficult security partner for the United States. The Nigerian Army has long viewed US military engagement in West Africa with deep suspicion, shunning deeper ties and ignoring Washington’s calls for security sector reform and human rights improvements. Inviting AFRICOM to relocate to Nigeria is the equivalent of proposing marriage before going on a first date.”
Nigeria, other African leaders must take responsibility for citizens’ security – Expert
However, a counter-terrorism expert and Senior Researcher for the Lake Chad Basin Programme at the Institute for Security Studies, Dakar, Senegal, Dr Akinola Olojo, has said that Buhari and other African leaders must take responsibility for the security of their citizens, noting that the entire burden cannot be pushed on foreign countries.
He spoke against a backdrop of Nigeria and African countries getting US help in the fight against terrorists and other criminals in the region.
Olojo said, “The relocation of the United States Africa Command from Germany to Africa would depend on a number of factors anchored on the foreign policy priorities of the US in the current period. Beyond this, however, is the need for Nigeria (and African countries) to be sincere with a self-interrogation regarding whether the relocation of an external entity such as AFRICOM will address Africa’s challenges of insecurity.
“The ultimate burden of responsibility for ensuring the human security of African citizens lies on the leadership or governments in Africa. The presence of French troops supporting the G5 Sahel Joint Force for nearly a decade has not really solved the fundamental or root causes of the crisis affecting Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. To be clear, there is nothing wrong with global partnerships when it comes to addressing insecurity. Besides, challenges such as violent extremism have a transnational character and in early 2020, the US and Kenya launched a joint terrorism task force. As long as such frameworks are mutually beneficial, this is good.
“However, the governments of Nigeria and countries in Africa must begin to live up to the responsibility entrusted to them by citizens. In other words, leadership in Africa must inspire and drive the process for implementing the different policy frameworks and national action plans which already exist on the continent.”
Meanwhile, a government official familiar with US operations said even if the US chose to relocate its AFRICOM to Nigeria or any part of the West Coast, it would come with its own challenges which might affect Nigeria or its neighbours adversely.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, “Bringing AFRICOM to Africa or Nigeria will be a major problem for Nigeria and the African continent. Bringing AFRICOM to Nigeria, for example, will be tantamount to inviting or attracting all the enemies of the US, including global terrorist organisations, to the host country. Such a host country will become a subject of attack from terrorist organisations.”
President Joe Biden had in February stopped the planned withdrawal of US troops from Germany that was ordered last year by the Donald Trump administration but had never actually begun, Associated Press reported.
Biden said the troops’ pullout would be halted until the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin did a review of America’s troops presence around the globe.
Austin, he said, would ensure that “our military footprint is appropriately aligned with our foreign policy and national security priorities.”
In a statement, Austin said the US Department of Defence would conduct “a global force posture review of U.S. military footprint, resources, strategy and missions.”
The review, he said, “will inform my advice to the commander in chief about how we best allocate military forces in pursuit of national interests. The review will be led by the acting undersecretary of defence for policy, in close consultation with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”
Last year, President Trump announced that he was going to pull out about 9,500 of the roughly 34,500 US troops stationed in Germany. The US has several major military facilities in the country, including Ramstein Air Base, the headquarters for US European Command and US Africa Command, and Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre, the largest American hospital outside the United States.
Trump’s order met resistance from Congress as well as from within the military, which has long relied on Germany as a key ally and base of operations. Trump announced the troop cuts after repeatedly accusing Germany of not paying enough for its own defence, calling the long time NATO ally “delinquent” for failing to spend two per cent of its GDP on defence, the alliance benchmark.
Austin hinted at a likely reconsideration of the order in a conversation with his German counterpart.
German officials believe the order will be rescinded by the new administration, and the German Defence Ministry said that in Austin’s call with his German counterpart, he “emphasised that Germany is highly valued as a station and that American soldiers feel very comfortable here.”
“The US continues to consider its presence in Germany as an important part of joint security,” the Defense Ministry said.
-Saturday Punch
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Publicity Helps Terrorists, Not Victims — Reno Omokri Warns
Publicity Helps Terrorists, Not Victims — Reno Omokri Warns
Former presidential aide and author, Reno Omokri, has argued that excessive publicity and global attention on terrorist activities often benefit perpetrators rather than pressure them into releasing victims.
In a detailed statement, Omokri maintained that terrorists thrive on attention and deliberately use media coverage to spread fear, attract influence, and strengthen their operations. He referenced former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s famous remark that “publicity is the oxygen of terrorism,” arguing that this principle remains relevant in modern counterterrorism strategy.
Omokri said public reactions to high-profile abductions, including global campaigns and celebrity involvement, can unintentionally increase the value of hostages in the eyes of kidnappers, making their release less likely.
He cited the case of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign following the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, claiming that international attention elevated the profile of Boko Haram and complicated rescue efforts. According to him, what began as a humanitarian movement eventually made the girls “high-value hostages” in the hands of their captors.
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The former presidential spokesman also said he personally engaged in international advocacy efforts to secure the release of abducted Leah Sharibu, including meetings with world leaders and funding personal initiatives. However, he claimed security experts later advised that excessive publicity around her case may have inadvertently increased her value to terrorists.
Omokri further referenced guidance allegedly contained in journalism and security manuals on terrorism coverage, arguing that responsible reporting should avoid amplifying fear or giving undue attention to terrorist acts.
He insisted that government security agencies continue to work behind the scenes to secure the release of abducted victims, while urging Nigerians to avoid emotionally driven reactions that may, in his view, complicate rescue operations.
According to him, terrorists are strategic actors who benefit from attention, and reducing publicity around their actions may weaken their psychological impact and operational incentives.
Omokri concluded that counterterrorism efforts require a more rational and less emotional public response, warning that sustained global amplification of kidnapping incidents may unintentionally serve the interests of criminal groups rather than victims.
Publicity Helps Terrorists, Not Victims — Reno Omokri Warns
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Democracy Day: Tinubu Unveils Security, Economic Plans, Honours June 12 Heroes
Democracy Day: Tinubu Unveils Security, Economic Plans, Honours June 12 Heroes
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, improving national security, deepening economic reforms, and delivering prosperity to citizens as the country marked Democracy Day 2026.
In his nationwide Democracy Day address on Friday, Tinubu celebrated Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, describing it as the longest stretch of civilian governance in the nation’s history.
The president said that despite existing challenges, democracy remains the foundation of Nigeria’s progress and called on citizens to continue defending and strengthening democratic institutions.
According to him, Nigerians have consistently chosen their leaders through elections, witnessed peaceful transfers of power, and resolved political disputes through constitutional means rather than violence.
Tinubu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and voters to ensure peaceful and credible elections in Ekiti and Osun states, warning that democracy suffers whenever citizens lose confidence in the electoral process.
Addressing young Nigerians, the president encouraged them to build their future at home rather than seeking opportunities abroad. He urged the youth to innovate, create businesses, participate in governance and contribute actively to national development.
On security, Tinubu acknowledged growing concerns over recent kidnappings and insecurity, including the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states. He stressed that democracy cannot thrive without security and assured Nigerians that his administration remains committed to protecting lives and property.
The president disclosed that the Federal Government had declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers alongside thousands of military personnel to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
He further revealed that the 2026 Budget allocates N5.41 trillion to defence and security, describing it as the largest security allocation in Nigeria’s history.
Providing updates on counter-terrorism efforts, Tinubu said Nigerian security forces have significantly degraded terrorist operations across the country. He noted that troops recently destroyed an ISWAP command centre in Arege, Borno State, while terror-related deaths have reportedly declined by 81 per cent since 2015.
According to the president, more than 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised within the past year, while over 124,000 insurgents and their dependants have surrendered through the government’s Operation Safe Corridor deradicalisation programme since 2023.
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Tinubu warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terrorism to either surrender or face decisive military action, stressing that the government would show no mercy to individuals who continue to threaten national peace and security.
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, the president paid tribute to the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, widely recognised as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, and his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
He also honoured several pro-democracy activists and national figures whose sacrifices contributed to the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria. Among those recognised were Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and many others.
The president said the greatest tribute Nigerians can pay to the heroes of June 12 is to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold justice, protect freedoms and create opportunities for citizens.
On the economy, Tinubu defended the reforms introduced by his administration since assuming office in 2023, insisting that they were necessary to rescue the country from fiscal instability and restore investor confidence.
According to him, the reforms have improved public finances, increased federation revenues, enhanced fiscal transparency and attracted investments into critical sectors such as agriculture, energy, technology, manufacturing, mining and transportation.
The president noted that Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity has expanded significantly, helping to improve energy security and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
Tinubu also highlighted efforts to reform the electricity sector, which he described as one of the most challenging areas inherited by his administration.
He said the signing of the Electricity Act has empowered states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity independently, while the Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working to address the country’s metering deficit and settle legacy debts within the power sector.
The president revealed that the Rural Electrification Agency, with support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has expanded off-grid and mini-grid electricity projects to underserved communities, universities, hospitals and markets nationwide.
On infrastructure and agriculture, Tinubu disclosed that the National Agricultural Development Fund is implementing a plan to deploy 10,000 tractors over five years to boost food production and agricultural productivity.
He also announced that more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been certified for exports, while Nigeria’s non-oil exports grew by 21 per cent in the past year.
Despite these gains, the president admitted that many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship and rising living costs. He said his administration remains focused on reducing inflation, creating jobs, increasing food production and improving living standards.
Tinubu reiterated his support for financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local government councils, arguing that effective grassroots governance is critical to national development and security.
According to him, the collapse of local governance structures over the years contributed significantly to insecurity and underdevelopment in many communities.
In a major highlight of the address, the president announced national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, politicians and civil society leaders who played significant roles in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
Among those listed for national recognition were Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Debo Adeniran, Niran Malaolu, Femi Aborisade, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Ike Okonta and several others.
Tinubu also recognised a number of military officers who supported the June 12 democratic struggle and announced that the honours list would be formally released in the coming days.
Additionally, the president approved the renaming and revitalisation of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology in honour of the late military officer and pro-democracy advocate.
Concluding his address, Tinubu urged Nigerians to reject division, despair and cynicism, and instead embrace unity, hope and national purpose.
He said the generation that fought for June 12 secured political freedom for Nigeria, while the responsibility of the current generation is to secure economic prosperity and ensure democracy delivers tangible benefits to every citizen.
“June 12 reminds us that Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” the president said.
He called on citizens to renew their commitment to democracy and work together towards building a united, prosperous and secure nation.
Democracy Day: Tinubu Unveils Security, Economic Plans, Honours June 12 Heroes
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Full Text of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day Address
Full Text of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day Address
Fellow Nigerians
Today, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.
In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.
To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.
To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.
Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.
Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is not solid enough. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.
We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.
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At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.
June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
Full Text of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day Address
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