Around 100 United States Army personnel have arrived in Nigeria to train the country’s armed forces and provide intelligence support as Nigeria steps up efforts to counter Islamist militants and other armed groups.
The soldiers and their equipment landed at an airfield in the north-eastern state of Bauchi, according to Nigerian defence spokesperson Samaila Uba. He said the deployment was carried out at the request of the Nigerian government and stressed that the US troops would not take part in combat operations.
The arrival marks the latest phase of growing military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, following US airstrikes carried out on Christmas Day against two camps operated by an Islamist militant group in north-western Nigeria.
Nigerian authorities say they requested assistance to help confront Islamist groups including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, also known as ISWAP, as well as other armed actors operating across the country.
Nigeria is grappling with a wide range of security challenges, including a long-running Islamist insurgency, criminal kidnapping gangs known locally as “bandits” who carry out raids and ransom abductions, violent disputes over land, and separatist unrest in parts of the country.
“The collaboration will provide access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to deter terrorist threats and enhance the protection of vulnerable communities across the country,” Maj Gen Uba said in a statement.
He explained that the deployment followed discussions between Nigerian and US defence officials during a joint working group. It also comes after confirmation earlier this month by US Africa Command that a small number of American forces were already operating in Nigeria. Nigerian military officials had previously indicated that up to 200 additional US troops could be expected.
Late last year, the administration of Donald Trump raised concerns about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria, urging the government to improve security and strengthen protection for Christian communities. Trump had earlier claimed that a “Christian genocide” was taking place in the country — an allegation strongly rejected by Nigerian officials, who said people of all faiths, including Muslims, Christians and those with no religious affiliation, were victims of attacks.
Nigeria’s government has publicly thanked the United States for its assistance in addressing security challenges and emphasised that the airstrikes carried out on 25 December, which targeted the Islamist militant group Lakurawa in the north-western state of Sokoto, were approved by President Bola Tinubu.
Nigeria is home to more than 250 ethnic groups and is broadly divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a largely Christian south, with significant religious and ethnic mixing in the central regions of the country.
