About 100 US troops arrive in Nigeria for army help mission

About 100 American troops have arrived in Nigeria to coach and help the nation’s army in counter-terror operations.

The arrival comes almost two months after the USA carried out airstrikes in Sokoto state on Christmas, focusing on Islamic State-linked militants.

Earlier on Monday, Nigeria’s Armed fForces stated US service members arrived at Bauchi airfield in northern Nigeria.

Samaila Uba, spokesperson for defence headquarters, stated the mission is to assist Nigerian troops “successfully establish and neutralize extremist terrorist {groups} searching for to destabilize the nation”.

“The collaboration will present entry to specialised technical capabilities aimed toward strengthening Nigeria’s skill to discourage terrorists threats and improve the safety of susceptible communities throughout the nation,” he stated.

The deployment adopted a proper request by the Nigerian authorities for coaching, technical help and intelligence sharing.

A spokesperson for US Africa Command stated the troops are in Nigeria to help Nigerian-led counter-terror operations however didn’t disclose their models or level of origin.

Nigeria’s army stated the American personnel are usually not a fight drive and can strictly function advisers.

Reuters had reported final week that the US army plans to ship a complete of 200 troops to Nigeria, with the primary wave arriving over the weekend.

On Christmas, a US navy destroyer fired Tomahawk missiles at suspected camps of ISIS and Lakurawa, an affiliated group, in Sokoto state.

A number of the missiles reportedly didn’t detonate, whereas casualty figures from the strikes haven’t been made public.

In January, US President Donald Trump, threatened further strikes.

The US has elevated its army operations in Africa over the previous yr, finishing up airstrikes towards ISIS and different militant {groups}, together with al-Shabaab.