US Delivers Military Equipment to Nigeria to Support Counterterrorism Operations

The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force in Lagos and Kainji, Niger state.

US Africa Command (AFRICOM) on its website on Thursday said the equipment was delivered in September through the US Air Force C-17.

The command said “the equipment delivery 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.

Last month, Dagvin Anderson, the AFRICOM commander, announced that the US had pulled back many of its troops in Nigeria following the May operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the second-in-command of ISIS, in the Lake Chad Basin.

American and Nigerian officials said the relatively small deployment to the West African nation had outsised results.

Small teams of trainers and intelligence analysts are, however, expected to remain after the larger contingent leaves by late September.

The report noted that American officials described the deployment of troops in Nigeria as a model for future operations in Africa.