US Troops Deployed to Nigeria Won't Engage in Combat Operations, Clarifies Defence Headquarters

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) clarified that the 200 US troops expected in Nigeria will not participate in combat operations but will offer technical training and advisory support to Nigerian forces. This deployment follows comments from US officials at the Pentagon regarding plans to train Nigerian forces to battle Islamist militants.

President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike targeting ISIS last week, leading to the deployment of a small US team to Nigeria. Maj Gen Samaila Uba, spokesperson for DHQ, emphasized that the US personnel will not serve in combat capacity and will not assume direct operational roles.

Nigerian forces will retain full command authority over security decisions within their sovereign territory. The deployment is part of ongoing cooperation between the US and Nigeria and comes amid increased diplomatic and security engagements.

Trump had accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants in the northwest, a claim Nigeria rejected, maintaining that its security agencies target armed groups attacking both Christians and Muslims.