US President Barack Obama on Wednesday notified Congress that he intends to deploy 300 troops to Cameroon to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

In a letter released by the White House, Obama said 90 personnel had already been deployed, and would be armed for self-defense. 

Cameroon, along with a growing number of West African nations, has been targeted by Boko Haram militants expanding operations beyond the group's traditional base in Nigeria.