The United States has deployed a small military team to Nigeria, Washington confirmed on Tuesday, as part of efforts to bolster the fight against terrorist groups operating in the country’s north.
The head of US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the deployment was carried out in coordination with the Nigerian government and is intended to strengthen counterterrorism operations. AFRICOM did not disclose details about the size, scope, or specific activities of the team.
Nigeria has been battling a prolonged jihadist insurgency, particularly in its northeastern region, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives since 2016 and displaced millions of people.
In December, US President Donald Trump, working with Nigerian authorities, ordered missile strikes on what he described as Islamic State camps in northeastern Nigeria. Trump has characterized the violence as a “Christian genocide,” a claim rejected by the Nigerian government, which maintains that victims of the insurgency come from all religious backgrounds.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister has confirmed the presence of US military personnel in the country but declined to provide further information on their mission or duration of stay.
