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.
According to Arise News, 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.