The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja, has confirmed the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel and associated equipment at Bauchi Airfield in Bauchi State.
Major General Samaila Uba, director of defence information, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, the deployment followed deliberations during a working group engagement between a Nigerian delegation and its US counterpart.
Uba said the arrival of the US military trainers was in response to a formal request by the Federal Government of Nigeria to the US government.
“The deployment is planned and deliberate following a formal request by the federal government of Nigeria to the US government to support a clearly defined military training requirement, technical support and intelligence sharing with the members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement read.
The DHQ explained that the collaboration is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and improving the operational capacity of its troops.
“The collaboration will provide access to specialized technical capabilities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to deter terrorist threats and enhance the protection of vulnerable communities across the country,” it stated.
The headquarters clarified that the US personnel are not combat troops but are in Nigeria strictly in an advisory capacity.
“The US personnel are technical specialists serving strictly in an advisory and training capacity. They are not combat forces. All training activities will be conducted under the authority, direction and control of the Nigerian Government and in close coordination with the Nigerian Armed Forces.”
It added that Nigerian troops would begin joint training engagements and intelligence-focused cooperation initiatives with the US advisers to enhance their capacity to identify and neutralise extremist groups.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to degrading and defeating terrorist organizations that threaten the country’s sovereignty, national security and the safety of its citizens,” the statement said, assuring Nigerians of transparency and timely information regarding the cooperation.
Earlier reports had indicated that up to 200 US troops could be deployed to Nigeria to provide training and technical support, expanding military cooperation between Washington and Abuja.
