The United States has sent its military to Nigeria as part of expanded cooperation
between Washington and Abuja to address terrorism.
Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin
R.M. Anderson, stated that Nigeria and the US agreed on the need for closer
military collaboration.
According to Reuters, Anderson did not disclose the exact size and mission details
of the deployed team, but described it as a small contingent with “unique
capabilities” provided by the United States.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US
team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson said.
Meanwhile, in an Arise News report, Nigerian Defence Minister Christopher Musa
also confirmed that a US team is operating in the country, declining to provide
further specifics.
The US had conducted surveillance flights over the country from Ghana since at
least late November.
However, the new development represents the first official acknowledgement of
US forces on the ground in Nigeria since Washington conducted airstrikes in the
country at the end of December.
US officials say the deployed team focuses heavily on intelligence gathering and
support to Nigerian forces in their fight against terrorist-affiliated groups.
Nigeria has come under intense pressure by Washington to act after President
Trump accused the West African nation of failing to protect Christians from
Islamist militants operating in the northwest.
