iDeemlawfulThe United States has deployed about 200 troops to Nigeria to train the country’s military in its fight against Islamist militants, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
An American military official told the newspaper that the move comes weeks after US President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of not doing enough to protect Christians from terrorist attacks.
According to the report, the deployment is aimed at strengthening Nigeria security efforts through training and operational support.
It added that the newly arrived personnel would complement a small group of US military advisers already in Nigeria, who support local forces with intelligence used to identify targets for military operations, according to US and Nigerian officials.
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During a virtual briefing last Tuesday, the Commander of the United States Africa Command, Gen Dagvin R. Anderson, confirmed expanded cooperation between both nations following high-level discussions.
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 clarified that Nigeria’s partnership with the United States is centred on capacity building and not direct combat involvement.
This clarification followed media reports and public speculation about the presence of US troops in the country.
In a statement, the Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, said all cooperation with the United States is carried out with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and within established bilateral agreements.
“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.
President Tinubu on Sunday also received a high-level US delegation led by the Commander of USAFRICOM at the State House in Abuja.
The delegation included Gen Anderson and members of his team, along with the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Nigeria, Keith Heffern.
Discussions at the meeting centred on enhancing defence cooperation and regional security collaboration.