Abuja: The military in Nigeria has confirmed that about 200 troops from the United States will be deployed to the country, but they will not take part in combat operations. Instead, their role will focus on training and advising Nigerian security forces.
According to Nigerian military officials, the American troops will help improve skills, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism strategies. They stressed that Nigerian forces will remain in full control of operations and that the foreign troops will not be involved in direct fighting.
The deployment comes at a time when Nigeria is facing serious security challenges. Armed groups linked to extremist movements continue to carry out deadly attacks in different parts of the country. In recent weeks, hundreds of people have been killed in violent incidents, increasing pressure on the government to strengthen its response.
The cooperation is part of ongoing security discussions between both countries. Officials say the aim is to build the capacity of Nigerian forces so they can better protect communities and respond quickly to threats.
The move also follows comments by US President Donald J. Trump, who has spoken about security concerns in Nigeria, including violence affecting Christian communities. The Nigerian government has rejected claims that the crisis is based only on religion, saying that terrorism and criminal violence affect people of all faiths.
Nigerian authorities have welcomed international support but have made it clear that any assistance must respect the country’s sovereignty. They say the partnership with the United States is focused on improving training, equipment and coordination, not on allowing foreign forces to lead operations.
Security analysts say the success of the mission will depend on how well the training translates into stronger local operations on the ground. For many Nigerians living in affected areas, the hope is that the cooperation will bring greater safety and stability in the months ahead.