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On Monday, approximately 100 U.S. troops, accompanied by military equipment, arrived in Nigeria, marking a significant step in bolstering local efforts against Islamic militants and other armed factions troubling the West African region. This development was confirmed by the Nigerian military.
The deployment is part of a larger initiative of security collaboration between the United States and Nigeria, with an additional 100 troops expected to join over time. This move underscores the strengthening ties and shared security interests between Washington and Abuja.
The Nigerian government specifically requested this support, aiming to enhance their capabilities through training, technical assistance, and intelligence sharing, as they face ongoing violence and instability. This was reported by the Associated Press.
In total, around 200 personnel from the U.S. Africa Command are slated to deploy to Nigeria. Officials have emphasized that this mission is designed to support and enhance the operational capacity of Nigerian forces.
Upon arrival, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, the deputy commander of U.S. Africa Command, engaged in discussions with Nigerian officials, highlighting the collaborative spirit of this mission. The meeting underscored the commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
The effort is 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 batch of troops represents the initial group of what is expected to be a roughly 200-person deployment of others, including U.S. intelligence analysts, advisers and trainers.
The move follows recent visits by senior U.S. Africa Command officials to Abuja to reinforce military-to-military ties and expand counterterrorism cooperation.
Nigerian soldiers man a checkpoint in Gwoza, Nigeria. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi)
On Feb. 8, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu met with a high-level U.S. delegation led by U.S. Africa Command commander Gen. Dagvin Anderson at the State House in Abuja, according to Nigeria’s presidency.
The meeting included senior officials from Nigeria’s military, security and intelligence agencies and focused on expanding intelligence sharing and operational coordination.
Monday’s deployment came as tensions between Washington and Abuja have eased following earlier friction over religious violence and civilian protection.
Split of President Donald Trump and President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu (Ton Molina/Getty Images; Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump had previously accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from what he described as a genocide, citing attacks by extremist groups and armed bandits.
Trump ordered airstrikes on Dec. 25 targeting Islamic State militants and said they were responsible for killing Christians.
Africom conducted strikes in Sokoto State in northwest Nigeria targeting what it described as Islamic State terrorists and said they were coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
“The United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social at the time.