U.S. troops arrive in Nigeria for support mission against militants
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Nearly 100 US soldiers and military equipment arrived in Nigeria on Monday to provide support to local forces fighting Islamist militants and other armed groups in the West African country, the Nigerian military said.
U.S. personnel descended on the region as part of broader security cooperation efforts between Washington and Abuja, with another 100 personnel arriving over time.
The arrival comes at the request of the Nigerian government, which is seeking assistance with training, technical support and intelligence sharing in the fight against violence. Associated Press reported.
In total, about 200 U.S. Africa Command personnel are expected to be deployed to Nigeria, in what officials describe as a support mission aimed at strengthening the capacity of Nigerian forces.
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U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, deputy commander of U.S. Africa Command, met with Nigerian officials upon his arrival in Nigeria for talks. (U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class Kenneth Tucceri)
Efforts are focused on combating Islamist extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, both of which have carried out attacks in northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad region.
The first group of troops represents an initial group of about 200 others expected to be deployed, including U.S. intelligence analysts, advisors and trainers.
The move follows recent visits by senior U.S. Africa Command officials to Abuja to strengthen military-to-military ties and expand counterterrorism cooperation.
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Nigerian soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint in Gwoza, Nigeria. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi)
On February 8, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu met with a high-level US delegation led by US Africa Command Commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson at Government House in Abuja. presidency of nigeria.
The meeting featured senior officials from Nigeria’s military, security and intelligence agencies and focused on expanding intelligence sharing and operational coordination.
Monday’s deployment comes as tensions between Washington and Abuja eased following earlier friction over religious violence and the protection of civilians.
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Separation between President Donald Trump and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu (Ton Molina/Getty Images; Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump has previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from what he called genocide, citing attacks by extremist groups and armed bandits.
Trump ordered airstrikes on December 25 targeting Islamic State militants and said they were responsible for the killing of Christians.
Africom carried out attacks in Sokoto State in northwestern Nigeria targeting what it described as Islamic State terrorists and said they were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
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“The United States has launched a powerful and lethal offensive against the ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, brutally targeting and killing innocent Christians at levels not seen in years, even centuries!” Trump said this in a post on Truth Social at the time.
