For the first time, the United States government may soon be sending troops to Nigeria to help it in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents, although their role may not be offensive.

The United States troops will be engaged in surveillance and intelligence operations against Boko Haram inside Nigeria, American officials have said.

The United States’ operation in combating the extremist group will be carried out as part of the recently announced deployment of up to 300 US military personnel to neighboring Cameroon.

“This is going to be part of our Boko Haram efforts that will be operating throughout the region,” one American official said.

“It will not include boots on the ground or offensive combat, but will see US military operations against Boko Haram in Africa’s most populous country for the first time.

Last Wednesday, President Barack Obama said he would send up to 300 military personnel to Cameroon of which 145 have already arrived in that country.

The White House has explained that American military personnel would be armed only for self-defense, just to stress that they will not be involved in direct combat roles.