Military confirms presence of US troops in Nigeria

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has finally confirmed the presence of United States troops on ground in Nigeria.

The confirmation comes after weeks of speculation and denial by the Defence Headquarters over the presence of US troops in Nigeria, following an announcement by the head of US Africa Command, Gen Dagvin Anderson.

Anderson had, at a media briefing, hinted at the presence of a small US team in Nigeria. He did not disclose the size or specific role of the team but said it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.

Daily Sun gathered reliably that the troops, who arrived in the country about two weeks ago, are not in any way engaged in a combat capacity or assuming a direct operational role.

A military source who does not want to be mentioned in print told Daily Sun that the US troops are not going to be deployed to the field as fighters because that is not why they are in Nigeria. He said Nigerian forces will continue to retain full command authority, make all operational decisions, and will lead all missions on the nation’s sovereign territory.

Confirming the presence of the US troops in Nigeria to Daily Sun in an exclusive interview, the Director Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the US forces in the country were there at the request and invitation of the Government of Nigeria and consistent with the recommendations of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group.

The defence spokesman, however, refused to speak further on the number of troops on ground and where they are serving, for what he described as operational security reasons.

Responding to a Daily Sun question to confirm if the United States has deployed combat troops to Nigeria, Gen Uba said: “At the request and invitation of the Government of Nigeria, and consistent with the recommendations of the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group, the United States has deployed technical and training service members to provide advisory support at various locations across Nigeria.”

According to him, “These personnel do not serve in a combat capacity and will not assume a direct operational role.

“Nigerian forces retain full command authority, make all operational decisions, and will lead all missions on our sovereign territory.”

Gen Uba said, “For emphasis, US troops will not have direct combat and operational roles.”