ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria is deepening its security cooperation with the United States as it grapples with an intensifying Islamist insurgency and rising militant attacks in its northern regions.
Reuters reports that approximately 100 additional U.S. military personnel have arrived in Nigeria this week to support the Nigerian Armed Forces in counterterrorism operations, alongside previously deployed U.S. troops. The reinforcement is part of an expanded mission aimed at bolstering training, intelligence sharing, logistics, and advisory support — not direct combat engagement — as Abuja confronts evolving militant threats from groups including Boko Haram, ISWAP affiliates, and local insurgents.
The move comes amid diplomatic tensions sparked by comments from U.S. political leaders about Nigeria’s handling of religiously targeted violence. Nigerian authorities have consistently rejected claims of discrimination, asserting that security operations aim to protect all citizens irrespective of faith.
Security analysts note that the expanded cooperation reflects growing international concern over escalating violence in both the northwest and Niger Delta regions, where armed gangs and extremists have increasingly disrupted communities and displaced civilians. Government sources say the partnership aims to strengthen Nigeria’s operational capabilities while encouraging intelligence integration to curb lethal attacks that have claimed numerous lives in recent months.
Nigeria’s defence leadership has emphasized that the engagement will enhance capacity building for local forces, improve joint planning, and leverage American expertise to tackle complex militant threats that have persisted for over a decade.
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