Nigeria asks for U.S. help to fight Boko Haram

The United States could soon send Special Operations advisory forces to Nigeria to assist regional troops in the fight against Boko Haram.

The possible deployment follows a preliminary assessment by Gen. Donald Bolduc, U.S. Special Operations commander for Africa, to determine how the U.S. can assist select Nigerian units.

“The types of mission sets envisioned under theses proposals would likely involve a platoon-sized element operating in a strictly advise-and-assist capacity,” according to a statement from U.S. Africa Command.

U.S. Special Forces already are offering training and advisory assistance to Cameroon, Niger, and Chad. In Cameroon, about 250 U.S military personnel are operating drones to monitor Boko Haram.

“Any kind of assistance Nigeria could receive would be helpful,” said William Assanvo, a researcher with the Institute for Security Studies in Dakar, Senegal. “The Nigerian security and military forces need training with regard to how to address the threat.”

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan suspended U.S. advisory efforts in 2014. But his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari, remains adamant about ending the extremist group’s insurgency. As part of that effort, Nigeria has increased cooperation with neighboring countries also affected by Boko Haram’s terror campaign. On Saturday, Nigerian and Cameroonian forces killed about 100 militants and freed hundreds of hostages held in the Nigerian town of Kumshe.

While suffering military setbacks, Boko Haram continues to attack Nigerian towns and neighboring countries contributing to the multinational force. The six-year insurgency has killed at least 20,000 people and displaced more than 2.1 million.

“Despite losing territory in 2015, Boko Haram will probably remain a threat to Nigeria throughout 2016 and will continue this terror campaign within the country and in neighboring Cameroon, Niger, and Chad,” James Clapper, director of National Intelligence, warned Thursday in testimony before the House Intelligence Committee.

The U.S. Departments of State and Defense are evaluating the proposed Nigeria mission to determine the number of troops needed, according to Africa Command. As part of the process, Nigeria also is working to fulfill its requirements for the mission.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.