The Nigerian government has confirmed the deployment
of United States military personnel to the country following a recent security
agreement between both nations.
In a statement issued on Monday, Defence spokesperson
Samaila Uba said the Federal Government formally requested US support in
military training, technical assistance, and intelligence sharing for members
of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
According to Uba, the collaboration will grant Nigeria
access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at strengthening efforts to
deter terrorist threats and improve the protection of vulnerable communities
nationwide.
He clarified that the US personnel are not combat
troops but technical specialists serving strictly in advisory and training
roles. All training activities, he said, will be carried out under the
authority, direction, and control of the Federal Government and in close
coordination with the Nigerian military.
Nigerian troops are expected to begin a series of
joint training exercises and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives with
the US team in the coming days. The engagements are designed to enhance the
military’s capacity to identify and neutralise extremist groups seeking to
destabilise the country.
Uba reaffirmed the military’s commitment to defeating
terrorist organisations threatening Nigeria’s sovereignty, national security,
and the safety of its citizens. He also assured Nigerians of continued
transparency and timely updates regarding the cooperation.
The deployment follows months of pressure from US
President Donald Trump, who has criticised the Nigerian government over what he
described as its failure to protect Christians from attacks by Islamist
militants and armed groups. Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular
Concern (CPC), a move rejected by Nigerian authorities, who maintain that
violence in the country affects people of all faiths.
On Christmas Day, Trump ordered airstrikes targeting
Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria’s North-west, saying the action was
aimed at groups responsible for attacks on Christians. Both US and Nigerian
authorities later confirmed the strikes were carried out collaboratively.
After high-level talks in Abuja, the head of US Africa
Command, General Dagvin Anderson, confirmed that a small team of US military
officers had been deployed to Nigeria, primarily to provide intelligence
support.
While some critics argue that the move could undermine
Nigeria’s territorial integrity, Defence Headquarters clarified that the
partnership centres on capacity building, professional military education,
intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue.
Uba emphasised that all engagements with the US are
conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and existing bilateral
agreements.
Nigeria continues to battle multiple armed groups,
including Boko Haram, its breakaway faction the Islamic State West Africa
Province (ISWAP), the ISIL-linked Lakurawa group, and various bandit networks
involved in kidnapping and illegal mining. According to United Nations data,
the prolonged conflict has claimed thousands of lives.
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