US Deploys At Least 200 Troops to Nigeria to Boost Fight Against Terrorism

The United States has deployed at least 200 troops to Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s fight against Islamist militants.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the mission of the US troops is to train Nigeria’s military and improve its counterterrorism operations. The deployment comes just weeks after former US President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of not doing enough to protect Christians from terrorist attacks.

The report explained that the newly deployed troops are expected to support Nigeria by providing training and operational assistance. They will also work alongside a small number of US military advisers who are already in the country. These advisers currently help Nigerian forces with intelligence gathering and identifying targets for military strikes, according to US and Nigerian officials.

Speaking during a virtual briefing last Tuesday, the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R. Anderson, confirmed that cooperation between both countries has increased.

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 development signals deeper military cooperation between Nigeria and the United States as both countries seek to tackle growing security challenges in West Africa.