Connect with us

Defence and Security

US Deploys 200 Troops to Boost Nigeria’s Counterterrorism Capacity

Published

on

US and Nigeria Flags
Share

The United States has deployed approximately 200 military personnel to Nigeria to support the country’s fight against Islamist militants, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

An American military official said the deployment is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s counterterrorism capacity through specialised training and operational support. The move comes weeks after US President Donald Trump publicly criticised Nigeria over alleged failures to protect Christians from terrorist attacks.

The newly deployed troops are expected to complement a small team of US military advisers already operating in the country. These advisers assist Nigerian forces with intelligence gathering and target identification for military operations, according to US and Nigerian officials.

Commander of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), Gen Dagvin R. Anderson, confirmed increased collaboration between both nations during a recent virtual briefing. He disclosed that discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu paved the way for expanded cooperation.

“I was able to meet President Tinubu. We shared thoughts and agreed that we needed to work together on a way forward in the region,” Anderson said. “That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small US team that brings unique capabilities to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters clarified that the partnership remains focused on capacity building rather than direct combat operations. According to military authorities, the cooperation covers professional military education, intelligence sharing, logistics support, and strategic dialogue aimed at tackling terrorism and other shared security challenges.

In a statement addressing public speculation, Director of Defence Information, Maj Gen Samaila Uba, reaffirmed that all engagements with the United States respect Nigeria’s sovereignty and operate within established bilateral agreements.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria maintains a long-standing and structured security partnership with the United States,” the statement noted, dismissing claims of any unauthorised foreign troop presence.

The development follows a high-level meeting at the State House in Abuja, where President Tinubu received a US delegation led by Gen Anderson. The delegation also included the Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Nigeria, Keith Heffern.

Discussions during the meeting centred on deepening defence cooperation and enhancing regional security efforts amid persistent insurgency threats across parts of Nigeria and the wider West African region.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Defence and Security

Nigerian Navy Intercepts 17,000 Litres of Suspected Illegally Refined AGO in Rivers

Published

on

Share

The Nigerian Navy has intercepted abour 17,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) in Rivers under Operation DELTA SENTINEL.

This is contained in an operational report by the Director of Naval Information, Capt Abiodun Folorunsho, on Saturday in Abuja.

Folorunsho said, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER made the interception during ongoing anti-crude oil theft operations within its Area of Operation.

“During the operation, a speedboat conveying the suspected illegally refined petroleum product was intercepted along the Onne/Okrika waterways.

“The recovered speedboat and the suspected illegally refined AGO were handled in accordance with extant anti-crude oil theft procedures.

“Efforts are also ongoing to identify and apprehend those connected with the illegal activity.”

The naval spokesperson said that the latest operational success further demonstrated the navy’s sustained commitment to disrupting the illicit petroleum supply chain.

He said it also denied economic saboteurs freedom of action, while protecting Nigeria’s critical oil and gas infrastructure from criminal exploitation.

Folorunsho reaffirmed the navy’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations to combat crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage, while safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime environment and supporting national economic security.

Continue Reading

Defence and Security

8 Division Garrison Troops Foil Bandit Attack, Prevent Livestock Rustling in Sokoto Community

Published

on

Share
A terrorist attack has been foiled by troops of the 8 Division Garrison of the Nigerian Army, chasing away a gang of bandits attempting to rustle livestock in Asarara village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
A credible security source from the area disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Sokoto.
The source said the incident occurred on Wednesday when a gang of bandits attacked the community in an attempt to kidnap residents and rustle animals.
“The gallant troops engaged the bandits in a fierce exchange of fire, which forced them to retreat in disarray, while some of the bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.
“The quick response of the troops and continued vigilance saved the lives and property of villagers,” the source said.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said he had no authority to speak to the press, and added that the bandits had been pushed back to the Gwangi community along the riverside in the area.
The credible source appreciated the cooperation of residents for sharing prompt information and urged them to sustain the effort.
“Proactive measures have been put in place to protect lives and property.
“The swift response, professionalism, and courage displayed by military personnel averted what could have been a tragic incident,” the source said.
The source appealed for continued support from residents, while stressing the need for more vigilance in farming communities.

Continue Reading

Defence and Security

Coordinated Troops Operations Rescue 16 Kidnapped Victims, Nab Terror Collaborators

Published

on

Share

The Nigerian Army says troops rescued 16 kidnapped victims, recovered 281 rustled livestock and apprehended suspected terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers in coordinated operations across Borno, Sokoto State, Zamfara and Plateau.

An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday revealed that the operations were carried out in the last 24 hours.

The army said the operations also led to the interception of suspected Boko Haram family members, recovery of suspected hard drugs, mobile phones and other items linked to terrorist activities.

In the North-East, it revealed troops of 222 Battalion intercepted 20 suspected family members of Boko Haram insurgents comprising nine women, two men and nine children along the Gezuwa axis in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

According to the army, the suspects said they escaped from the Gezuwa terrorist camp following an attack by rival ISWAP fighters and were handed over to military authorities for further profiling.

“Troops also arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators in Geidam, Yobe State, who allegedly supplied hard drugs to terrorists.

“Items recovered included substances suspected to be cannabis, 11 mobile phones and ₦14,530.

In Monguno, troops apprehended two suspected logistics suppliers to ISWAP terrorists.

“The suspects allegedly confessed to conveying food items to terrorists in Kukawa and were found with mobile phones, an assault knife, an ISWAP gate pass and ₦6,600.

“Troops also rescued a woman kidnapped by terrorists since November 2025 in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno and reunited her with her family after medical attention,” the army said.

The army also revealed that troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, rescued 14 kidnapped victims, recovered 281 rustled livestock and two motorcycles after engaging terrorists in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

It added that separate operations in Sabon Birni, Sokoto, and Zurmi, Zamfara, also forced terrorists to abandon two kidnapped victims, one of whom sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to hospital.

The military said that troops also apprehended a suspect linked to attacks in Southern Kaduna during operations in Plateau.

“In Mangu, troops rescued injured farmers attacked by suspected herders, confiscated 27 cattle from fleeing attackers and arrested 19 suspects during follow-up raids in Riyom after two soldiers were killed in an ambush,” the army added.

Continue Reading