About 100 U.S. military personnel have arrived in Nigeria to expand support for local forces battling Islamist insurgents and other armed groups, according to Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters. The deployment is focused on training, advising and boosting intelligence capabilities, Nigerian officials said.

Major General Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, said the U.S. personnel would not take part in combat operations. The deployment comes as Washington scales up efforts to target Islamist militants, following U.S. strikes in December that Reuters reported were aimed at Islamic State-linked fighters.

Nigerian authorities have pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism that Nigeria has failed to protect Christians from Islamist militants in the northwest. Nigeria says it does not discriminate by religion and that security forces target armed groups that attack both Christians and Muslims.

Reuters also reported that flight-tracking data showed several planes carrying U.S. troops and equipment heading to Nigeria’s northern states in recent days. Earlier this month, Nigeria’s military said it expected around 200 more U.S. troops.

Beyond the new arrivals, Abuja is seeking deeper material support. Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare said Nigeria needed “massive support” from the U.S. government, including fighter jets and munitions, though he did not provide figures or a timeline.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, faces overlapping security threats ranging from jihadist groups to criminal kidnapping gangs and other armed actors. Officials say the expanded U.S. advisory presence is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to deter attacks and protect vulnerable communities.

Source: Reuters