The United States has delivered a fresh consignment of military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as Washington and Abuja deepen security cooperation against terrorism and other armed threats.
The equipment was flown into Nigeria by a United States Air Force C-17 aircraft under the existing Foreign Military Sales agreement between both countries.
The United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, disclosed the delivery, saying the shipment arrived over the weekend.
AFRICOM said the equipment would support Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations and strengthen the military partnership between the two countries.
“Partnership in action: A US Air Force C-17 delivers equipment to the Nigerian Air Force this weekend,” AFRICOM stated.
The command said the equipment was part of a foreign military sales agreement designed to advance the US-Nigeria partnership and support Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
The latest delivery comes as the Nigerian military continues operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in the North-East.
The Nigerian Air Force plays a key role in the operations, providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support as well as air strikes against terrorist targets.
In a recent operation in the Gwoza area of Borno State, troops under Operation Hadin Kai reportedly repelled an attack by suspected ISWAP fighters, with air support deployed against fleeing terrorists.
The fresh US delivery is also coming amid renewed attention to the nature of Washington’s military involvement in Nigeria.
Earlier in September, the Defence Headquarters clarified reports about the planned withdrawal of about 200 US military personnel from Nigeria.
Defence spokesperson, Major General Samaila Uba, said the development should not be interpreted as the end of security cooperation between the two countries.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to clarify that the reported withdrawal of about 200 United States personnel should not be interpreted as a breakdown or termination of the Nigeria-United States security partnership,” Uba said.
The latest equipment delivery indicates that military cooperation between Nigeria and the US remains active despite the reported adjustment in American personnel deployment.
US security assistance to Nigeria has included military training, intelligence cooperation, defence equipment and technical support.
One of the major previous deals was Nigeria’s acquisition of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from the US, which have since been deployed in military operations against terrorist groups.
AFRICOM said American military support to Nigeria is provided at the request of the Nigerian government and respects Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The Foreign Military Sales programme is a US government-to-government mechanism through which defence equipment, services and training are provided to partner countries.
The latest equipment was delivered to Nigerian Air Force locations in Lagos and Kainji.
The US has also continued training Nigerian military personnel, including members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment, on unmanned aircraft systems and their use for intelligence and surveillance operations.