Intrigues, tension as US troops land in Maiduguri against terror groups

…UK, Germany pledge collaborative effort to counter-insurgency operations

Last Monday, about 100 American troops, along with equipment, arrived in Nigeria to assist in training soldiers as the government battles Islamic militants and other armed groups, according to the Nigerian military.

The deployment was in response to a request from the Nigerian government to the U.S. for help with training, technical support, and intelligence-sharing, the military stated.

The move comes after a period of tension between the U.S. and Nigeria, sparked when U.S. President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from alleged genocide. The Nigerian government denied this claim, and analysts note that the situation is more complex, with people often targeted regardless of their faith.

This has led to tensions, fear, and uncertainty in northern Nigeria, a region recently ravaged by terror groups. Activities of groups like the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) and Lakurawa, Mahmuda, Ansaru fighters, and bandits may now be considered more deadly than ever in Nigeria’s history.

“The arrival of US troops in Nigeria will enhance intelligence-sharing operations against the terrorists, especially when their activities are becoming risky to the sovereignty and security of our country,” an insider told BusinessDaySunday.

This recent development marks the latest indication of military collaboration between Nigeria and the US following the Christmas Day airstrikes against two camps operated by an Islamist militant group in North Western Nigeria.

As the Nigerian government and armed forces are grappling to combat the astronomical growth of Islamist terrorists such as Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa Province, Lakurawa and others that have spread their scope of operations from the northeast epicentre to the northwest and central, which pose a grave concern to the security architecture of the black Africa most populous nation.

Nigeria grapples with numerous security threats, including an Islamist insurgency, criminal gangs—locally called “bandits” that loot and kidnap for ransom—land conflicts, and separatist movements. Many residents agreed that it is timely and appropriate assistance to cushion the plight of helpless locals in the hands of armed bandits.

“The timing is apt. As a nation, we are going through a hard and untold phase of this country, hence we need help from advanced nations like the United States of America and others,” said a traditional leader who doesn’t want his name mentioned due to the sensitivity of this matter.

Late last year, the Trump administration expressed concerns over the treatment of Christians in Nigeria and urged the government to improve security and safeguard Christian communities.

Trump previously claimed a “Christian genocide” was happening in Nigeria—an assertion strongly denied by Nigeria’s government, which stated that Muslims, Christians, and people of no faith all face attacks.

Nigeria’s government has thanked the US for its support in addressing security issues and clarified that the December 25 strikes, targeting the Islamist group Lakurawa in Sokoto state, received approval from President Bola Tinubu.

Read also: 33 dead in militants, civilian confrontation in Kebbi community 

Nigeria consists of over 250 ethnic groups, roughly divided into a Muslim-majority north and a largely Christian south, with interaction between the regions in the middle.

BusinessDay learnt that US troops have arrived in Maiduguri, contrary to what has been reported. It was gathered that a sizable number of American troops are currently at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri which was not independently confirmed before the paper went to bed.

But an impeccable source within the theatre of operations disclosed that nearly 100 U.S. troops are in Maiduguri. The source said, “Yes, I have seen some of them here in our Barracks; they arrived a few days ago in Maiduguri. I think the authorities do not want unnecessary publicity and attention, so it is strategic.”

Similarly, the Defence Attachés of the United Kingdom and Germany to Nigeria reaffirmed their unwavering support for Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency. The commitment was articulated during their historic visit to the Headquarters of the Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), in Maiduguri on Wednesday, February 18.

The visit, which marked a significant milestone in bilateral military relations, was led by Brigadier Tom Harper of the UK and Colonel Boris Bovecamp of Germany.

During the visit, they engaged with Nigerian military leaders and expressed their dedication to strengthening collaborative efforts in counterinsurgency operations.

Brigadier General Tom Harper emphasised the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, highlighting shared values such as democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

The UK reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria through enhanced training programmes facilitated by the British Military Advisory Team (BMATT), aimed at bolstering Nigerian troops’ capacity.

Colonel Boris Bovecamp, the German Defence Attaché, echoed similar sentiments, underscoring Germany’s interest in exploring new avenues for collaboration. He emphasised the importance of capacity building, regional cooperation, and technical support to enhance operational effectiveness in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

US troops in Bauchi: Nigerians deserve clarity – Bukarti

Commenting via his meta handle, Bulama Bukarti, a Nigerian Lawyer and Security Analyst, said the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel at the Bauchi Airfield was to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria in training and intelligence-sharing operations.

According to him, the statement did not clarify whether the troops will remain stationed in Bauchi or are en route to another location.
“If they are going to stay in Bauchi, the public deserves to know why that location was chosen instead of frontline theatres of terrorism such as Zamfara, Niger or Borno, Bulama Bukarti queried.

He continued, “There may well be sound tactical or strategic reasons behind this decision. But in the absence of clear communication, uncertainty breeds speculation. Given the sensitivities surrounding foreign military presence on Nigerian soil, transparency is not a luxury – it is a necessity.

Bulama added, “Nigerians should be clearly informed about the precise scope, duration and limits of this deployment, rather than being given a vague reference to ‘training and intelligence-sharing.”

The public deserves to know how long US personnel will stay, the specific nature of the training they will conduct, and the mechanisms for Nigerian oversight.

He noted, “If this partnership is lawful, limited and in Nigeria’s best interest, then a straightforward explanation will strengthen public trust. Silence or opacity, however, risks fuelling suspicion, speculation and misinformation at a time when clarity and candour are most needed.”

However, to understand the gravity of these terror groups, it is essential to distinguish Boko Haram’s ideology from that of the Islamic State West Africa Province. While the latter primarily targets military forces and Christian communities, Boko Haram’s violence is aimed at all, except its members.

Also, another deadly terror group is Lukurawa that primarily operates in the northwest and North Central of Nigeria, which aligns its operations ideology with Islamic State West Africa Province’s more selective attacks led on school children, farmers, security forces, Christians and Muslims who refuse to accept their extremist ideology have received ruthless attacks over the year.

Urgently, the governments and militaries of Lake Chad region countries should pay serious attention to the growth of Boko Haram and its arch-rival ISWAP in their counter-terrorism intelligence-driven operations in the region.

“There is a need to improve security cooperation among the countries by luring Niger back into the Multinational Joint Task Force and ensuring members’ commitment to the force. Enhanced welfare services from the countries to their citizens can reduce incentives to join Boko Haram and other insurgent groups.

“Strengthening defection programmes is crucial to prevent former terrorists from going back to groups like Boko Haram. I strongly believe that US troops providing accurate intelligence sharing with our armed forces and new hardware technology, no doubt, the terror groups will feel the hit of operations,” a top military source told BusinessDay.