By Goli Innocent
The United States will deploy 200 troops to Nigeria to strengthen military training and intelligence support as Nigeria intensifies its fight against insurgency in the north.
According to credible media sources, a US official confirmed that the incoming troops will reinforce a small contingent of American military personnel already operating in Nigeria. The deployment signals a deepening security partnership between Abuja and Washington at a critical time in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations.
The move follows renewed military cooperation between both nations after US President Donald Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” over allegations of religious violence. Despite diplomatic sensitivities around that designation, defence collaboration between the two countries has continued to expand.
Last week, General Dagvin Anderson, commander of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), visited Abuja for high-level security talks. He met with President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Army Staff Waidi Shaibu, and other senior officials.
Discussions centred on shared security priorities, particularly countering terrorist organisations operating across Nigeria’s northern corridor and the wider Sahel region.
Anderson disclosed that US forces already deployed in Nigeria are operating under an expanded bilateral security agreement aimed at combating terrorism. While he did not reveal the exact number of personnel currently on ground, he clarified that their primary role involves intelligence gathering, surveillance coordination, and operational support for Nigerian forces.
The announcement comes weeks after the United States conducted missile strikes on terrorist enclaves in the Bauni forest in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto state on Christmas Day.
Nigeria’s ministry of foreign affairs described the operation as “precision hits” carried out following intelligence sharing and strategic coordination between both countries. The ministry added that the action was consistent with established international practice and mutual security agreements.
Security analysts say the additional 200 troops are unlikely to engage in direct combat operations but will provide technical support, tactical training, and enhanced intelligence capabilities to Nigerian forces.
Nigeria continues to battle insurgent groups and armed bandits across parts of the north-west and north-east, with military authorities under increasing pressure to stabilise affected communities.
The expanded US-Nigeria military cooperation underscores Washington’s strategic interest in West African security, particularly as extremist activity in the Sahel continues to evolve.
(The SUN)
