US Troops Arrive Nigeria Amid Increasing Boko Haram, ISWAP Attacks

By Paul Joseph

The United States military has announced the deployment of a small team to Nigeria to assist in combating terrorism associated with Boko Haram and various bandit groups.

This information was shared in Dakar by General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, the head of US Africa Command. He indicated that the deployment was the result of discussions between Washington and Abuja, where both parties recognized the need for more robust measures to address escalating security challenges in West Africa.

Anderson noted that the US team possesses specialized skills that will enhance Nigeria’s counter-terrorism initiatives, although he did not disclose the team’s size or specific mission details.

Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa (retd), confirmed the presence of US personnel in the country but refrained from providing additional information.

A former US official stated that the American forces are primarily focused on gathering intelligence and assisting Nigerian troops in identifying and targeting terrorist-affiliated groups.

This deployment follows President Donald Trump’s order for airstrikes in December against what he termed Islamic State targets in Nigeria, along with a warning that further military actions could occur.

Earlier reports indicated that the US had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from Ghana since late November.

In recent months, Washington has increased pressure on Nigeria, particularly after Trump accused the nation of failing to safeguard Christian communities from Islamist militants. The Nigerian government has denied allegations of religious persecution, asserting that both Christians and Muslims are victims of terrorist violence.

Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have escalated their attacks on civilians and military convoys, with the northwest region being one of the most severely affected areas in the ongoing 17-year insurgency.

Additionally, US Africa Command confirmed that a recent airstrike in Sokoto State, coordinated with Nigerian authorities, resulted in the deaths of several ISIS militants.