Pat Stevens/
The United States has confirmed that it has deployed a small team of military officers to Nigeria to support the Nigerian Armed Forces in their fight against terrorism, the top American commander for Africa said on Tuesday.
Air Force General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, commander of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), told reporters that the personnel were sent after consultations between the two governments on the need for closer cooperation against the rising threat of extremist groups in West Africa.
The announcement follows a series of air strikes carried out by U.S. forces on Christmas Day, when Washington said it targeted Islamic State affiliates in north-west Nigeria in co-ordination with Nigerian authorities.
Anderson described the deployed team as bringing “unique capabilities” from the United States to augment Nigerian efforts but did not provide details on its exact size or mission.
The deployment marks the first official acknowledgement of U.S. military personnel on the ground in Nigeria since the Christmas Day strikes and comes amid broader security cooperation between Abuja and Washington.
Nigeria has faced persistent violence from groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, which have carried out attacks on military targets and civilians across the country.
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