The first group of United States military personnel has touched down in Nigeria, beginning the planned deployment of about 200 American intelligence analysts, advisers and trainers. The team is in the country to support Nigerian forces in targeted counterterrorism missions, partly aimed at protecting Christians, officials confirmed on Friday.
A U.S. military aircraft arrived in Maiduguri on Thursday night. Authorities said the initial batch of about 100 personnel will continue to arrive gradually over the weekend, while more planes carrying troops and equipment are expected in the coming weeks.
Nigeria’s defence spokesman, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, said the American team will concentrate on training and technical support.
“These personnel do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role,” he said. “Nigerian forces retain full command authority, make all operational decisions and will lead all missions on Nigerian sovereign territory.”
The move followed recommendations made by a joint U.S.-Nigeria working group. Under the arrangement, American personnel will provide advisory support at different locations. A U.S. Defence Department official also stressed that the mission is noncombat in nature, adding that the Americans will mainly operate from command centres.
The joint operation will cover several troubled areas. A Nigerian official disclosed that troops will be deployed to northern states battling insurgents such as Boko Haram, as well as parts of the Middle Belt where attacks on Christians have been serious.
With many of the troops arriving in remote areas that lack strong infrastructure, the early stage of the mission will focus on putting in place secure communication systems, building base facilities and strengthening operational security in collaboration with Nigerian forces.
This week, the first set of newly trained Nigerian special forces was sent to Plateau State. Going forward, U.S. and Nigerian personnel will strengthen joint mission planning, sharing intelligence from both countries, including U.S. surveillance flights from Ghana.
The Pentagon described the operation as temporary and likely to run for a few months, although it noted that further deployments could follow if the mission proves successful.
