The United States is expanding its military partnership with Nigeria with plans to deploy 200 additional troops to support training and operational coordination, officials from both countries confirmed on Tuesday.
Nigerian Defence Headquarters spokesman, Major General Samaila Uba, said the deployment is designed to reinforce Nigeria’s campaign against jihadist groups. “We are getting US troops to assist in training and technical support,” Uba said. He clarified that the American personnel will not be involved in frontline combat operations.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the development, noting that the incoming troops will join a small US team already stationed in Nigeria. That existing team has been assisting with air strike targeting. The new contingent, expected in the coming weeks, will provide “training and technical guidance,” including support to help Nigerian forces better coordinate air and ground operations. A spokeswoman for US Africa Command confirmed the details to AFP.
The move comes amid efforts by Washington to deepen military cooperation with Africa’s most populous country, despite recent diplomatic tensions. US President Donald Trump has previously described insecurity in Nigeria as “persecution” and “genocide” against Christians.
Although certain attacks have specifically targeted Christian communities, the violence has also resulted in significant Muslim casualties. Trump’s senior advisor on Arab and African affairs, Massad Boulos, stated last year that Boko Haram and Islamic State “are killing more Muslims than Christians.”
Nigeria Deploys Strategy to Combat Insurgents and Bandits
Nigerian authorities have rejected claims that Christians are being systematically persecuted, a narrative often associated with elements of the US religious right. Independent analysts argue that the crisis reflects broader governance challenges and the government’s ongoing struggle to contain jihadist factions and heavily armed criminal gangs operating across vast rural regions.
Despite political friction, security cooperation between both nations has continued to grow. In December, US and Nigerian officials confirmed that American forces took part in a joint operation targeting militants in Sokoto state in northwestern Nigeria.
Looking ahead, the US military has pledged to enhance intelligence sharing for Nigerian air strikes and accelerate pending arms sales. While the deployment of 200 troops represents a notable increase in collaboration, Uba emphasized that “US troops aren’t going to be involved in direct combat or operations,” adding that Nigeria formally requested the additional support.
Nigeria remains engaged in a prolonged insurgency in its northeast, where jihadist groups have operated for more than a decade. At the same time, criminal gangs known locally as “bandits” continue to carry out kidnappings for ransom and raid communities in the northwest, further intensifying the country’s security challenges.
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