US military personnel arrive in Nigeria to support Nigerian Armed Forces.
About 100 military personnel from the United States have arrived in Nigeria to support the country’s armed forces.
According to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), the US soldiers landed at the Bauchi Airfield. The deployment is part of an ongoing security collaboration between Nigeria and the United States.
The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, explained that the foreign troops will focus on training and intelligence-sharing with Nigerian forces. He said the move followed engagements between defence officials from both countries and was done at the request of the Nigerian government.
General Uba described the presence of the US soldiers as “planned and deliberate,” adding that it is aimed at meeting specific training needs and providing technical support. He noted that the partnership will help Nigerian troops gain access to specialised skills needed to tackle terrorism and protect vulnerable communities.
The development has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians. While many welcomed the collaboration as a necessary step to address insecurity, others raised concerns about foreign military presence and stressed that no permanent US base should be allowed in the country.
Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges, including terrorism and insurgency, and authorities say international cooperation remains one of the strategies being used to strengthen national defence efforts.
