Nigeria, Feb. 17 -- Nigeria's Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrival of about 100 United States military personnel in the North-east.

In a statement on Monday evening, Samaila Uba, the spokesperson for the Defence Headquarters, said the US troops and associated equipment landed at the Bauchi airfield.

The US forces are expected to train Nigerian soldiers and not engage in combat operations, officials from both countries say.

"The deployment forms part of the deliberation during a working group engagement by the Nigerian delegation and it's [sic] US counterpart," Mr Uba said.

"The arrival is planned and deliberate following a formal request by the Federal Government of Nigeria to the US government to support a clearly def...