The United States sent ground troops to Nigeria on Tuesday, February 3, as part of recent security cooperation between the two countries.
Dagvin Anderson, the general in charge of US Africa Command (AFRICOM), said this at a news event on Tuesday.
Recall that the Donald Trump administration earlier launched missile attacks against terrorists in Sokoto on Christmas Day.
Anderson said the move came after he met with President Bola Tinubu in Rome late last year.
According to Anderson, “that has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small U.S. team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States in order to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years.”
Many Nigerians who spoke with WITHIN NIGERIA, especially attorneys and security professionals, offered their opinions and voiced their worries over the situation.
A game-changer but saboteurs in our military may frustrate
Afolabi Oluwaseun, a social media commentator and public analyst, described the revelation as a game changer in the war on terror.
He also recognized the potential benefits of US help, which included intelligence sharing, sophisticated technology, and signal support.
According to Oluwaseun, the deployment of US ground forces will contribute to a significant victory in the battle on terror.
He did, however, raise serious concerns, citing the potential of the intervention becoming a “Greek gift”.
“Is this not a Greek gift?” The analyst raised fears about potential sabotage within Nigeria’s military.
Will saboteurs in the military not jeopardize this effort? he wondered.
Partners playing only a clearly defined supporting role can help Nigeria
Strong local institutions, efficient intelligence, good governance, and public trust are necessary for sustainable security, according to certified criminologist and security expert Abayomi Sam, who praised the development.
“Any foreign involvement must be transparent, limited in scope, and firmly under Nigerian control,” Sam stressed.
He added that partners should only play a clearly defined supporting role in Nigeria’s security efforts, which must be led by the country itself.
Good move, but no free meal in Freetown
Another public analyst, named as Babalola Abayomi, said the decision of the US administration and its adoption by the Nigerian government is a good one.
Abayomi, while lamenting the surge in insecurity and the free reign of robbers and terrorists, revealed that Nigeria is in desperate need of assistance from anybody, anywhere.
“If Trump’s visit to our forests brings security, serenity, and tranquility, that is good. The country is hurting, weeping, and sorely in need”, he added.
Abayomi voiced concern over the situation, noting the country’s history of offering assistance as evidence of a “no free meal in Freetown” tradition.
Babalola Abayomi questioned the US’s objectives, stating that establishing world peace is not their genuine agenda.
The current president has demonstrated that he embodies the aforementioned viewpoint. “Initiate, conquer, and grab,” he claimed.
Short-term reduction in attacks is possible
A legal practitioner named Chidera Eze told WITHIN NIGERIA that the US team’s emphasis on intelligence sharing and reconnaissance is expected to improve Nigeria’s ability to target terrorist command centers, funding sources, and coordination hubs rather than just frontline fighters.
According to Eze, the Christmas airstrikes targeted sites in Sokoto designated as significant operating bases for Lakurawa and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP/ISSP), potentially hindering their expansion.
“Nigerian officials have indicated an openness to continuing joint operations, with US surveillance assisting Nigerian jets in future strikes.”
This could result in a short-term reduction in attacks, as observed in comparable US-backed operations elsewhere in Africa, he said.
Nigeria must be cautious and sincere
In a telephone interview with WITHIN NIGERIA, Ogunwoye Samson, a security analyst, suggested that US support might be a game changer in the war against terrorism.
According to Samson, the United States possesses the most advanced technology and military capability that Nigeria requires to battle these criminal elements.
While welcoming US involvement, Samuel cautioned Nigeria to be cautious and ensure any agreement with the US is sustainable and does not compromise the country’s interests
“The Nigerian government must be sincere in this struggle and collaborate with the US in a way that does not protect sponsors and enablers of terrorism,” he said.
“We should be able to say no when necessary. The US has a history of assisting countries in the struggle against terrorism, and President Trump’s administration has been vocal about its commitment to global security”, he further stated.