First Batch Of U.S. Military Personnel Arrives In Nigeria To Support Counterterrorism Operations
The first contingent of U.S. military personnel has arrived in Nigeria as part of a deployment of approximately 200 American intelligence analysts, advisers, and trainers to assist Nigerian forces in counterterrorism operations, officials confirmed Friday. The mission also includes efforts to help protect Christian communities in volatile regions.
A U.S. military plane landed in Maiduguri on Thursday night, bringing the initial group of roughly 100 troops. Additional flights carrying personnel and equipment are expected to arrive over the coming weeks.
Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, a Nigerian defence spokesman, clarified that the U.S. troops will focus on training and technical support.
“These personnel do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role,” he said. “Nigerian forces retain full command authority, make all operational decisions, and will lead all missions on Nigerian sovereign territory.”
The deployment follows recommendations from a U.S.-Nigeria joint working group, with American personnel providing advisory support at multiple locations. U.S. Defence Department officials confirmed that their role is primarily noncombat, operating mainly from command posts.
The mission will span several high-risk areas, including northern states affected by jihadist activity, such as Boko Haram, and the Middle Belt, where attacks on Christian communities have been particularly severe, according to Nigerian officials.
