US deploys 200 troops to Nigeria

The United States has deployed about 200 troops to Nigeria to train the country’s military in the fight against Islamist militants, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

An American military official told the newspaper that the deployment comes weeks after US President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from terrorist attacks.

The report said the troops were expected to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity through training and operational support.

It added that the newly deployed personnel would supplement a small number of US military advisers already in Nigeria, who assist local forces with intelligence to identify targets for military strikes, US and Nigerian officials said.

Speaking during a virtual briefing last Tuesday, the Commander of the United States Africa Command, Gen Dagvin R. Anderson, confirmed increased collaboration between both countries following high-level engagements.

He said, “I was able to meet President Tinubu. We were able to share some thoughts and agree that we needed to work together on a way forward in the region.

“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small US team that brings unique capabilities from the United States to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”

The Defence Headquarters also clarified that Nigeria’s security partnership with the United States was focused on capacity building rather than combat operations.

According to the military, the collaboration covers professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue aimed at addressing shared security challenges, particularly terrorism.

This clarification followed media reports and public speculation suggesting the deployment of US troops in Nigeria.

In a statement, the Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, said all engagements with the United States were conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and within established bilateral frameworks.

“The Defence Headquarters has noted recent media reports and public speculation suggesting the presence or deployment of United States troops in Nigeria.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to state that Nigeria maintains a long-standing and structured security partnership with the United States,” the statement read.

Also, President Tinubu on Sunday received a high-level US delegation led by the Commander of USAFRICOM at the State House in Abuja.

The delegation included Gen Anderson and his team, as well as the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Nigeria, Keith Heffern.

The meeting focused on strengthening defence cooperation and regional security efforts.(Punch)