Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), has expressed concerns that the United States, under President Donald Trump, may be seeking to establish a military base in Nigeria.

Speaking at the 7th Annual Public Lecture of the Just Friends Club of Nigeria (JFCN) in Abuja, Dambazau cautioned that such a move could advance American strategic interests rather than Nigeria’s security priorities.

The retired army chief noted that recent statements attributed to Trump, including declaring Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and hinting at potential US military operations to “defend Nigerian Christians,” should be approached with caution.

“Donald Trump has declared Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern and directed the U.S. Department of War to prepare for possible operations to defend Nigerian Christians. I believe the U.S. may be seeking an opportunity to establish a base in Nigeria, a country known to protect only its interests, even through force,” Dambazau warned.

He questioned the motives behind such plans, noting that despite the US having military bases in Niger for over a decade, terrorism in the Sahel region has continued to spread unabated.

Dambazau also used the occasion to highlight Nigeria’s security architecture, governance challenges, and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the sector.