Trump Deploys US Military Team To Nigeria Amid Rising Jihadists’ Threat
The U.S. has deployed a small team of troops to Nigeria, marking the first public acknowledgement of American forces on the ground since Washington carried out airstrikes on Christmas Day.
The strikes targeted terrorist positions in Jabo, Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and were described by the U.S. military as “powerful and deadly.”
Trump had previously warned in October that Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria and threatened U.S. intervention if attacks on Christian communities persisted.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the troop deployment came after an agreement between US and Nigeria that more needed to be done to counter the terrorist threat in West Africa.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, including a small U.S. team that brings unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson said.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister Christopher Musa confirmed that U.S. personnel are operating in the country but offered no further details.
A former U.S. official said the team is heavily involved in intelligence gathering and supporting Nigerian forces in strikes against terrorist-affiliated groups.
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The deployment follows increased U.S. pressure after Trump accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants in the northwest.
The Nigerian government denies targeting religious groups, saying its operations focus on Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other armed groups attacking both Christian and Muslim civilians.
