US Military Deploys Team To Nigeria Amid Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

The United States military has confirmed that some forces have been dispatched to Nigeria as part of expanded cooperation between Washington and Abuja to address terrorism and related security threats in the West African nation.

According to Reuters, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), said on Tuesday that Nigeria and the United States agreed on the need for closer military collaboration to bolster counterterrorism operations.

US President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on what he described as Islamic State targets in Nigeria in December and said there could be more U.S. military action there.

Anderson did not disclose the exact size and mission details of the deployed team, but described it as a small contingent with

“unique capabilities” provided by the United States.