The United States has confirmed that a small team of U.S. military personnel has been sent to Nigeria to assist in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), marking the first official acknowledgment of American forces on Nigerian soil since U.S. airstrikes against ISIS-linked targets in December.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) head General Dagvin R.M. Anderson announced the deployment on Tuesday, saying the move follows consultations between Washington and Abuja to strengthen cooperation against escalating extremist threats in West Africa.
The deployment, described by officials as limited in scope, is intended to bring “unique capabilities” to support Nigerian counter-terrorism efforts. Specific details about the size, mission, or exact location of the U.S. team have not been disclosed.
This development comes after an uptick in violent activity by militant groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have intensified attacks across northern Nigeria. In December, the U.S. carried out airstrikes against ISIS affiliates in Nigeria a move publicly acknowledged last month but until now, U.S. military boots on the ground had not been confirmed.
Nigerian Defence Minister Christopher Musa also confirmed the presence of U.S. personnel while withholding operational specifics, underscoring a broader security partnership aimed at addressing persistent insurgency and terrorism in the region.
The U.S. troop deployment signals a deeper level of military collaboration between the two countries as Nigeria continues to confront complex and evolving security challenges.
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