About 100 US soldiers arrived in Nigeria to help its armed forces battle Islamist militants and other armed groups. The troops landed at an airfield in Bauchi, in Nigeria's northeast, said defence spokesperson Maj Gen Samaila Uba. He emphasized that US personnel "would not be engaging in combat operations" and came only "at the request of the government." This move follows US airstrikes on Islamist militant camps in northwestern Nigeria on Christmas Day. Nigeria requested support against Boko Haram, Islamic State in West Africa Province (Iswap), and other groups. The country also faces threats from criminal gangs called "bandits," land conflicts, and separatist unrest. Maj Gen Uba said, "The collaboration will provide access to specialised technical capabilities aimed at strengthening Nigeria's ability to deter terrorist threats and enhance the protection of vulnerable communities across the country." The deployment came after talks between Nigerian and US defence officials. Earlier, the US Africa Command confirmed a small team was already working in Nigeria. Nigerian officials expect up to 200 more US troops soon. Last year, US President Donald Trump's administration raised concerns about the safety of Christians in Nigeria and called for better security. Trump claimed there was a "Christian genocide" in Nigeria, but Nigeria's government rejected this, saying all faiths suffer attacks. The Nigerian government appreciated US aid and said President Bola Tinubu approved the Christmas Day strikes targeting an Islamist group called Lakurawa in Sokoto state. Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups, with a mainly Muslim north and mostly Christian south, and some mixed areas.