Troops From US Sent To Nigeria As Boko Haram, Bandits Steps Up Attack
US troops quietly arrive in Nigeria as Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks grow deadlier. What does this mean for national security and foreign involvement? Full story inside.
The United States military has confirmed that a small team of its forces has been deployed to Nigeria to help fight terrorism linked to Boko Haram and bandit groups.
The disclosure was made in Dakar by the head of the US Africa Command, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson. He said the deployment followed talks between Washington and Abuja, where both sides agreed that stronger action was needed to tackle growing security threats in West Africa.
According to Anderson, the US team brings special capabilities that will support Nigeria’s counter terrorism efforts. However, he did not reveal the exact size of the team or details of their mission.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retd), also confirmed that US personnel are currently working in the country but declined to give further information.
A former US official said the American forces are mainly focused on intelligence gathering and helping Nigerian troops identify and strike terrorist linked groups.
The move comes after President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes in December against what he described as Islamic State targets in Nigeria. He also warned that more military action could follow.
Earlier reports revealed that the US had been flying surveillance missions over Nigeria from Ghana since late November.
Washington has increased pressure on Nigeria in recent months, especially after Trump accused the country of failing to protect Christian communities from Islamist militants. The Nigerian government has rejected claims of religious persecution, insisting that both Christians and Muslims are victims of terrorist attacks.
Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have intensified attacks on civilians and military convoys. The northwest region remains one of the worst hit areas in the long running insurgency, now in its 17th year.
Meanwhile, the US Africa Command confirmed that a recent airstrike carried out in Sokoto State, in coordination with Nigerian authorities, killed several ISIS militants.
