By Palang Paul
A cleric of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, has claimed that the withdrawal of United States troops from Nigeria was prompted by security concerns arising from the alleged infiltration of the Nigerian military by insurgent groups.
The cleric made the remarks on Sunday during a Mass Burial sermon of Three Youths in Sabon Layi of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, where he addressed worshippers on the country’s worsening security situation and the recent withdrawal of U.S. military personnel involved in counterterrorism cooperation with Nigeria.
Dachomo alleged that members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) had taken what he described as strategic positions within the Nigerian Army, creating a dangerous operating environment for both Nigerian and foreign security personnel.
“Let me tell you, do you know why America left? Listen, American soldiers’ lives were in danger because Boko Haram and ISWAP have taken strategic positions in the Nigerian Army and the security of the country,” he said.
He argued that the departure of the American troops should not be viewed as a routine military decision but as a reflection of growing security risks facing foreign personnel operating in Nigeria.
According to the cleric, the alleged infiltration of the country’s security architecture by insurgent elements has significantly undermined efforts to combat terrorism and contributed to the deteriorating security situation across the country.
The United States recently announced the withdrawal of its military personnel deployed to Nigeria as part of security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts. U.S. authorities have publicly stated the reasons for the withdrawal, but this report has not independently verified Rev. Dachomo’s claims linking the decision to alleged insurgent infiltration of the Nigerian military.
Neither the Nigerian military nor the Federal Government had responded publicly to the cleric’s allegations at the time of filing this report.
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