Abuja, Nigeria. About 100 US military personnel have arrived in Nigeria as Washington scales up an operation targeting Islamist insurgents, according to a Nigerian defence spokesperson.
US deployments and mission scope
Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, said the troops would train and advise local forces but would not take part in combat. Nigeria’s military said earlier this month it expected around 200 more US troops.
In recent days, several planes carrying US troops and equipment have headed to Nigeria’s northern states, according to flight tracking data reviewed by Reuters.
Recent operations and intelligence support
The United States carried out strikes targeting Islamic State-linked militants in December, and a small US military team has been operating on the ground to boost Nigeria’s intelligence capabilities.
Political statements and security concerns
US President Donald Trump has accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants in the northwest. Nigeria denies discriminating against any religion, saying its security forces target armed groups that attack both Christians and Muslims.
Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare said Nigeria needed “massive support from the US government” in terms of fighter jets and munitions, but declined to give numbers or a timeframe.
Religious demographics and persecution claims
Nigeria’s 240 million people are evenly split between Christians mainly in the south and Muslims mainly in the north. Nigeria acknowledges serious security problems, including from Islamist fighters, but denies that Christians face widespread or systematic persecution.
What impact do you think expanded US training and advisory support could have on Nigeria’s security operations?
