The defence headquarters (DHQ) has announced that 100 US military personnel and associated equipment have arrived at Bauchi airfield.
Samaila Uba, the director of information for defence, said in a statement on Monday that the deployment comes after a new security pact between the United States and Nigeria.
Uba pointed out that the federal government has formally asked the United States for help in providing military training, technological support, and intelligence sharing to the Nigerian Armed Forces troops.
“The collaboration will provide access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s ability to deter terrorists’ threats and enhance the protection of vulnerable communities across the country,” the statement reads.
According to the director of information for defence, the US military personnel are technical experts who only provide training and advice.
He further clarified that they are not combat forces, noting that all training activities will be conducted under the authority, direction and control of the federal government and in close coordination with the Nigerian military.
This comes only a day after senior officials from the Defence Headquarters revealed that no fewer than three US military aircraft carrying munitions have landed Nigeria over the weekend .
“These activities are designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian troops to effectively identify and neutralize extremist terrorist groups seeking to destabilize the nation,” he added.
Nigerian military and US military trainers will begin a series of cooperative training exercises and intelligence-based collaboration projects in the next few days, according to Uba.
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