The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force in Lagos and Kainji, Niger State, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to conduct counterterrorism operations.
The US Africa Command, AFRICOM, disclosed the development in a statement published on its website on Thursday, stating that the equipment was transported to Nigeria in September aboard a US Air Force C-17 aircraft.
The command said the delivery was made under a foreign military sales agreement between the United States and Nigerian.
AFRICOM said the support was aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between both countries and enhancing Nigerian-led efforts to counter terrorism in the region.
The command also stressed that US military assistance to Nigeria was provided at the invitation of the Nigerian government and was based on respect for the country’s sovereignty.
The latest delivery comes weeks after AFRICOM Commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, announced plans to reduce the number of US troops deployed to Nigeria.
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The reduction followed a May operation that resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, whom US officials identified as the second-in-command of ISIS in the Lake Chad Basin.
American and Nigerian officials had described the relatively small US military presence in Nigeria as having produced significant results in the fight against terrorism.
Despite the planned reduction, small teams of US trainers and intelligence analysts are expected to remain in Nigeria after the larger contingent is withdrawn by late September.
The continued presence of US trainers and intelligence personnel indicates that Washington intends to maintain security cooperation with Nigeria even as the size of its military deployment changes.
American officials have reportedly described the Nigerian deployment as a possible model for future US counterterrorism operations in Africa.
The military equipment delivery therefore represents another step in the security partnership between both countries, with Nigeria expected to continue leading counterterrorism operations while receiving technical, intelligence and equipment support from the United States.
Vanguard
