US troops deployed to Nigeria received’t be a part of fight operations – DHQ

The Defence headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that about 200 United States troops anticipated in Nigeria within the coming weeks is not going to take part in fight operations, including that Nigerian forces will retain full management over all safety choices.

The clarification follows feedback by a US official that the Pentagon plans to deploy the troops to coach Nigerian forces battling Islamist militants, weeks after President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on what he described as Islamic State targets.

Final week, the US army confirmed it had despatched a small staff to Nigeria, with out offering additional particulars, marking Washington’s first public acknowledgement of personnel on the bottom because the Christmas Day strikes.

Maj-Gen Samaila Uba, spokesperson for the DHQ, informed Reuters that the Nigerian authorities requested the US presence to offer technical coaching and advisory assist at a number of places.

His phrases: “These personnel don’t serve in a fight capability and won’t assume a direct operational position.

“Nigerian forces retain full command authority, make all operational choices, and can lead all missions on Nigerian sovereign territory.”

Uba declined to reveal the precise arrival date of the troops however stated the deployment is a part of ongoing cooperation below the US-Nigeria joint working group.

The event comes amid elevated diplomatic and safety engagement between Abuja and Washington after Trump accused Nigeria of failing to guard Christians from Islamist militants within the north-west.

Nigeria has rejected allegations of non secular persecution, sustaining that its safety businesses goal armed {groups} attacking each Christians and Muslims.