US is reportedly planning to deploy 200 additional troops to Nigeria for counterterrorism training.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the United States is reportedly planning to deploy an additional 200 troops to Nigeria to support the country’s fight against insecurity, according to a report by The New York Times.
The deployment would be in addition to the small team of US special forces already in Nigeria assisting local troops in counterterrorism efforts.
Last week, the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin R. Anderson, confirmed that a US team of experts had been sent to Nigeria following discussions with President Bola Tinubu.
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“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,” Anderson said.
According to The New York Times, the proposed 200 troops would be stationed across various locations in Nigeria to provide training and technical support to Nigerian security forces. The report emphasized that the American troops would not be directly involved in combat operations.
A US official quoted in the report stated that the additional personnel would enhance ongoing efforts by assisting Nigerian forces in identifying potential terrorist targets through intelligence collaboration between both countries.
The development follows increased US interest in Nigeria after President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious freedom violations late last year — a classification the Nigerian government has rejected.
Diplomatic and military engagements between the two nations have intensified in recent months. President Tinubu had earlier dispatched a delegation led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to Washington, while an American delegation led by Congressman Riley Moore visited Nigeria in December to assess the security situation.
Military cooperation peaked during a joint counterterrorism effort on Christmas Day, when airstrikes targeted ISIS-linked militants in Sokoto State. The operation reportedly followed surveillance missions and intelligence-sharing between US and Nigerian military teams.
Gen. Anderson recently met with senior Nigerian officials, while his deputy, Lt. Gen. John Brennan, visited Abuja last month to formalize expanded military collaboration. President Tinubu also hosted senior US security officials at the Presidential Villa in Abuja as both nations continue to deepen security ties.
Further details on the timeline and scope of the troop deployment are expected in the coming weeks.
