World

US Sends 100 Troops to Nigeria Amid Rising Armed Group Attacks

The United States has sent 100 military personnel to northern Nigeria to assist local forces in countering a surge of attacks by armed groups, including Boko Haram and ISIL-linked factions.

Samaila Uba, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, confirmed on Monday that the troops arrived in the northeastern Bauchi region. Their mission is to provide technical support, intelligence sharing, and specialized equipment to help Nigerian forces identify and dismantle terrorist networks. Uba emphasized that the US personnel will not engage in direct combat but will operate under the full command of Nigerian military authorities.

“The Nigerian armed forces remain committed to neutralizing terrorist organisations that threaten national security and the safety of citizens,” Uba said, according to Premium Times.

The deployment comes after a spate of deadly attacks last weekend, when gunmen on motorcycles stormed three villages in northern Nigeria, killing at least 46 people and abducting several others. The most lethal assault occurred in Konkoso village, Niger State, where 38 residents were killed.

This move follows a tense period in US-Nigeria relations, after former US President Donald Trump criticized Nigeria for failing to protect Christian communities and hinted at potential military intervention. Nigeria rejected these claims, noting that victims of armed group violence come from all faiths.

In recent months, US forces have carried out airstrikes against ISIL-affiliated militants in Nigeria’s northwest and deployed small intelligence teams following discussions with Nigerian authorities in Abuja. Analysts describe the current security situation as a protracted struggle against a growing network of armed groups. Alongside Boko Haram and its breakaway ISWAP faction, Nigeria contends with ISIL-linked Lakurawa and numerous “bandit” gangs involved in kidnappings and illegal mining. Fighters from the Sahel region, such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, have also begun operating in the country.

The violence has claimed thousands of lives, according to United Nations estimates. While high-profile attacks on Christian communities have drawn international attention, most victims are Muslims living in northern Nigeria, where the majority of the conflict occurs.

Nigeria’s population of roughly 240 million is evenly divided between Christians in the south and Muslims in the north, highlighting the nationwide impact of the ongoing insurgency.