• 100 U.S. military personnel deployed to Nigeria to assist local forces.
• U.S. troops will focus on training, intelligence sharing, and technical support.
• The deployment comes as attacks by armed groups in Nigeria surge.
• Nigeria emphasizes that U.S. troops will not engage in combat roles.
• Violence affects both Christians and Muslims across Nigeria.

Approximately 100 U.S. military personnel have been deployed to Nigeria, signifying an escalation in military cooperation to combat Islamist insurgents and rising violence from armed groups, such as Boko Haram and ISIL (ISIS)-linked factions. According to Nigerian Defence Headquarters spokesperson Major General Samaila Uba, the U.S. troops have arrived at Bauchi Airfield and are set to train and advise local forces while providing technical expertise, but they will not engage in direct combat operations, maintaining full command under Nigerian military authority, according to Reuters and Le Monde.

The U.S. deployment follows a series of deadly attacks perpetrated by armed groups in northern Nigeria, notably including a recent assault in Khonsokso that left at least 46 people dead. The Nigerian military has acknowledged a severe security crisis stemming from various local factions fighting for control, which threatens national security and the safety of citizens. Uba stressed that U.S. technical support is crucial for targeting these terrorist organizations, as reported by Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Moreover, the decision to increase military cooperation comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Nigeria, primarily due to U.S. President Trump's claims regarding persecution of Christians in Nigeria. However, Nigerian authorities have contended that violence impacts both Christian and Muslim communities, with tech and intelligence capabilities from the U.S. being positioned as essential elements of the fight against insurgents. This context highlights the complexity of the security issues Nigeria is dealing with, as articulated by Le Monde and Al Jazeera.