The U.S. has quietly put troops on Nigerian soil, the first official acknowledgment since airstrikes hit Islamic State targets in December.
Gen. Dagvin Anderson of U.S. Africa Command said the deployment follows an agreement with Nigerian authorities to step up the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP. He called the team “unique” but gave no details on its size or exact role.
Nigeria’s Defense Minister, Christopher Musa, confirmed the presence of the Americans. A former U.S. official said the team is mainly focused on intelligence and supporting local forces.
The northwest remains the epicenter of a 17-year insurgency, and recent joint operations, including a strike in Sokoto, reportedly killed multiple ISIS militants.
President Trump has repeatedly warned that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria, criticizing the government for failing to protect vulnerable communities.
