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 counterterrorism operations.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in a statement published on its website on Thursday, said the equipment was delivered in September using a US Air Force C-17 aircraft.
According to AFRICOM, the delivery was made under a foreign military sales agreement between the United States and Nigerian armed forces.
The command said the support was intended to strengthen the strategic partnership between both countries and enhance Nigeria-led efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
“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.
The latest development comes weeks after the AFRICOM Commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, announced plans to reduce the number of US troops deployed to Nigeria.
The planned reduction followed a May operation in which Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified by US officials as the second-in-command of ISIS, was killed 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 supporting counterterrorism efforts.
Although the larger contingent is expected to be withdrawn by late September, small teams of US trainers and intelligence analysts are expected to remain in Nigeria.
American officials have reportedly described the Nigerian deployment as a potential model for future US counterterrorism operations in Africa.
The latest equipment delivery is therefore expected to further support the Nigerian military’s capacity to conduct locally led counterterrorism operations while maintaining the existing security partnership between Abuja and Washington.
