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.
Gatekeepers News reports that the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) disclosed this on its website on Thursday, saying the equipment was transported to Nigeria in September aboard a US Air Force C-17 aircraft.
According to the command, the delivery was made under a foreign military sales agreement between the United States and Nigerian militaries.
AFRICOM said the equipment would further strengthen the strategic partnership between both countries and support Nigeria-led efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
“The equipment delivery is part of a foreign military sales agreement between the U.S. and Nigerian militaries,” the command said.
It added: “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The development comes weeks after Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM, announced that the United States had withdrawn a significant number of its troops from Nigeria following a May operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-in-command of ISIS, in the Lake Chad Basin.
American and Nigerian officials said the relatively small US deployment had produced significant results in supporting Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
However, small teams of US trainers and intelligence analysts are expected to remain in Nigeria after the larger contingent completes its withdrawal by late September.
The report said US officials had described the deployment in Nigeria as a potential model for future American military operations in Africa.
