Defense and Security
U.S. Boosts Nigeria’s War On Terror With Fresh Military Equipment
The United States has delivered critical military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force in Lagos and Kainji, Niger State, to strengthen ongoing counterterrorism operations across the country.
The delivery, made in September through a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft, was confirmed on Thursday by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in a statement on its website.
According to AFRICOM, the consignment is part of a Foreign Military Sales agreement between the U.S. and Nigerian militaries.
“The delivery furthers the strategic partnership between the two nations in order to enhance Nigerian-led efforts to counter terrorism in the region. U.S. military support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria is by its invitation and rooted in respect for Nigerian sovereignty,” the command said.
The move comes just weeks after AFRICOM Commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, announced a planned reduction of U.S. troops deployed to Nigeria.
This follows a successful joint operation in May that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified by U.S. officials as the second-in-command of ISIS in the Lake Chad Basin.
American and Nigerian officials have described the relatively small U.S. deployment in the country as highly effective and producing significant results.
However, while the larger contingent is expected to be withdrawn by late September, small teams of U.S. trainers and intelligence analysts will remain in Nigeria.
U.S. officials reportedly described the Nigeria model as a potential template for future American counterterrorism operations across Africa.