Reports say no fewer than 40 soldiers from the United States arrived Nigeria on November 6, 2014, Thursday, to assist in curbing the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.
New Telegraph quoting high-rank sources at the Army Headquarters reports that the US troops were sighted at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja, in combat gear.
It could however not be ascertained if they were ground troops or merely security experts and intelligence specialists.
“I can confirm to you that about 40 US military personnel, all in combat gear, have arrived in the country.
“In fact, they arrived at the DHQ today (Nov.6), and I’m sure they met with the military high command, for briefing and other necessary operational issues,” one of the sources said.
When asked if they may be deployed for real combat, the source said: “I think it might be to boost intelligence gathering and they may not necessarily be ground troops.”
Another top military source disclosed that arrangements have been concluded to bring in Egyptian pilots to fortify the aerial bombardment of territories controlled by Boko Haram, particularly Mubi, which has been recently captured by the insurgentsand renamed into Madinatul Islam.
Additional helicopter gunships were also said to have been received to complement troops on the ground.
The source said: “Let me assure you that the military high command is very worried about this situation and that is why they are not sparing any efforts to ensure that we regain every territory of the country that has fallen to the insurgents.
“For your information, more helicopter gunships have arrived and are ready for deployment.”
The sources were optimistic that the ongoing insurgency in the Northeastern part of Nigeria will soon be reversed.
Boko Haram captured some local governments in Yobe, Adamawa and Borno States in the last few months.
Recall, it was reported hundreds of Nigerian soldiers were said to have fled Mubi when the Boko Haram sect attacked the town.
Following the recent take over of Mubi town, Adamawa state, by the Islamists, the Nigerian military and police units are on a mission to engage the sect in a fierce battle.