The United States has stepped up military training for Nigerian troops in Bauchi State as both countries strengthen their security partnership.
The training, organised by US and Nigerian forces, covers several areas including unmanned aircraft systems, combat casualty care, weapons handling, explosive ordnance disposal, small-unit tactics, camouflage and water treatment.
One of the areas that attracted the most interest was the use of unmanned aircraft systems. About 10 members of the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces Regiment received both classroom instruction and hands-on training on how to operate the aircraft and use information gathered from them during military operations.
The US Africa Command said the training was designed around the areas Nigerian forces identified as most useful to their operations. American personnel are also working with their Nigerian counterparts to improve military readiness and cooperation.
US officials said the exercises are not only about military skills but also about building stronger relationships between the two countries’ armed forces.
The latest development comes after the US withdrew most of the troops it had deployed to Nigeria for a specific counterterrorism operation in July. Despite the withdrawal, the two countries have continued intelligence-sharing and other forms of security cooperation.
