US TO DEPLOY 200 TROOPS TO TRAIN NIGERIAN MILITARY IN COUNTER-INSURGENCY PUSH
By Kenneth Eze Chimankpa
Abuja / Washington – The United States has announced plans to send approximately 200 troops to Nigeria to provide military training and technical support to the Nigerian Armed Forces, deepening bilateral security cooperation amid escalating insurgent activity.
In a move reflecting intensifying collaboration between the two countries, U.S. Africa Command and Nigerian defence officials confirmed that the deployment will focus on training, intelligence sharing and operational coordination rather than direct combat. The troops, expected to arrive in the coming weeks, will supplement a small team already in Nigeria providing advisory support.
Major General Samaila Uba, spokesman for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, told reporters that the additional American forces will assist in training Nigerian personnel and offering technical guidance, particularly in planning operations that integrate air assets with ground forces. He emphasized that the deployment was requested by the Nigerian government as part of broader efforts to enhance national security.
According to international media reports, the deployment follows recent U.S. airstrikes in northwest Nigeria targeting militant camps, part of a coordinated effort with Nigerian authorities to counter jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
U.S. officials have underscored that the mission is strictly non-combatant and centres on capacity building and support. A Pentagon spokeswoman reiterated that U.S. troops will “assist in training and technical support” rather than engage directly in offensive operations.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns over the protracted Islamist insurgency that has afflicted northern Nigeria for nearly two decades, displacing millions and undermining regional stability. Nigeria’s military has faced criticism domestically and internationally over its handling of the conflict, prompting calls for enhanced cooperation with key partners.
President Donald Trump’s administration previously faced diplomatic tensions with Nigeria over alleged failures to protect certain civilian populations, a charge Abuja has rejected while reaffirming its commitment to combating all armed groups regardless of ethnicity or religion.
Analysts say the troop deployment signals a strategic deepening of U.S.–Nigeria security ties, with Washington seeking to bolster Nigerian capabilities as part of a broader counter-terrorism framework in West Africa. The mission underscores a shift from remote assistance toward more embedded advisory roles, aligning with Nigeria’s own requests for enhanced technical cooperation.
As the troops begin their mission, both governments assert that respect for Nigerian sovereignty remains central to the partnership, even as public debate continues over the implications of foreign military presence on Nigerian soil.
