US Boosts Nigeria’s Defense With New Military Equipment Drop

To aid in counterterrorism efforts, the United States has provided military hardware to the Nigerian Air Force in Lagos and Kainji, Niger State.

The equipment was delivered in September via a US Air Force C-17 aircraft, according to a statement posted on the US Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) website on Thursday.

“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,” AFRICOM said.

This comes weeks after Gen. Dagvin Anderson, the commander of AFRICOM, announced a reduction in the number of US troops stationed in Nigeria in response to an operation in May that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in the Lake Chad Basin. Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was identified by US officials as the second-in-command of ISIS.

The comparatively modest US deployment in Nigeria has yielded noteworthy outcomes, according to American and Nigerian officials.

However, after the larger contingent is removed by late September, small groups of US intelligence analysts and trainers are anticipated to stay in Nigeria.

The deployment in Nigeria was described by US officials as a possible model for future US counterterrorism operations in Africa, according to the report.