The United States has deployed a small team of military specialists to Nigeria to assist the country in its ongoing battle against Islamic militants, including ISIS-linked groups. The development was disclosed by the commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin Anderson, during a virtual briefing from the command’s headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.
Anderson said the move followed recent discussions with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Rome, after Tinubu reportedly approved American airstrikes targeting militants in Nigeria late last year. Both leaders, he noted, agreed on the need for closer coordination between Nigeria and the United States in addressing growing security threats across West Africa.
While AFRICOM did not reveal details about the composition or specific mission of the deployed team, Anderson explained that the specialists bring “unique capabilities” intended to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts and complement the work the country has carried out for years against insurgent groups.
The deployment comes amid rising concerns over the expansion of militant violence in Nigeria, where groups such as Boko Haram, ISIS affiliates, and al-Qaida-linked factions have carried out deadly attacks in both Christian and Muslim communities, particularly in the northern regions.
Anderson also highlighted AFRICOM’s broader counterterrorism strategy across the continent, citing recent progress in Somalia where U.S. airstrikes and support have helped local forces restrict ISIS operations and push its leadership further underground.
