First 100 of US troops lands in Nigeria for anti-terror operations

The first 100 United States military personnel landed in northeastern Nigeria, signalling the start of a significant new phase in the country’s fight against terrorism.

The deployment, part of a planned 200-member U.S. mission, is set to bolster Nigeria’s counterinsurgency campaign with intelligence expertise, tactical training and strategic advisory support, as security forces intensify operations in some of the nation’s most volatile regions.

It was learnt that a U.S. military aircraft touched down in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, on Thursday night, according to reports.

By Friday evening, three aircraft were visible at the base, with equipment being offloaded from at least one of them.

Officials from both countries confirmed that roughly 100 American personnel are expected to arrive in the initial phase, with additional troops and equipment scheduled to land over the weekend and in the coming weeks.

A United States Defense Department, who spoke with New York Times on condition of anonymity to discuss operational details, said the deployment would involve a steady stream of C-17 transport aircraft into three primary locations across Nigeria.

The official described the current arrivals as the “vanguard” of a broader mission focused on intelligence sharing, advisory services and training.

Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence has stressed that the American troops would not participate directly in combat operations.

“These personnel do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role.

“Nigerian forces retain full command authority, make all operational decisions and will lead all missions on Nigerian sovereign territory”, Musa said.

Similarly, Samaila Ubah, Nigeria’s defence spokesman, in a statement explained that the deployment followed recommendations from a U.S.-Nigeria joint working group and would see American personnel provide advisory and technical support at multiple locations.

The U.S. Defense Department official corroborated this, noting that the Americans would operate mainly from command posts rather than in frontline engagements.

Security analyts have indicated that the joint operations footprint will span some of Nigeria’s most volatile regions.

A Nigerian official familiar with the arrangement said the American personnel would be deployed to northern states where extremist groups such as Boko Haram have been active, as well as parts of the Middle Belt, a region that has witnessed recurring violence affecting both Christian and Muslim communities.

The deployment comes amid months of heightened diplomatic pressure from Donald Trump, U.S. President who has publicly criticised the Nigerian government over its handling of security challenges, particularly attacks on Christian communities.

While Christian populations have suffered repeated attacks, Muslim communities have also been victims of violence in different parts of the country.

Late last year, Trump ordered a U.S. missile strike in Nigeria on Christmas Day, targeting what he described as terrorists responsible for killings.

The strike drew international attention and sparked debate about the scope of U.S. involvement in Nigeria’s internal security matters.

New York Times reported that the fresh deployment will reinforce a smaller contingent of American advisers already stationed in Nigeria.

According to the Federal Government, those advisers have been working with Nigerian security forces on tactical warfare training, including map reading, operational planning, strike coordination and rescue support missions.

Both governments maintain that the partnership is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to confront insurgency and armed militancy, while preserving the country’s sovereignty and operational command over all missions conducted on its soil.

Meanwhile, efforts to confirm the development from the Defence Headquarters were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

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