US Confirms Sending Troops to Nigeria

By: BBC

The United States has sent a small contingent of troops to Nigeria, a senior US military official has confirmed, marking the first time it has publicly acknowledged the presence of US forces in the country since it carried out airstrikes on Christmas Day.

The head of the US Africa Command (Africom), General Dagvin RM Anderson, said he met with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu in Rome, where they discussed regional security and the need for closer cooperation.

General Anderson said both countries had agreed on a “way forward in the region”.

“That has led to increased cooperation between our nations, including a small team that brings unique capabilities from the United States to augment what Nigeria has been doing for several years,” General Anderson said.

He added that the deployment of troops to the country was made at the request of Nigeria and aimed at providing intelligence support.

This comes amid pressure from the US White House on the Nigerian government to improve security and do more to protect Christian communities.

President Donald Trump previously claimed there was a “Christian Genocide” in Nigeria, suggesting that leaders were failing to protect Christians from jihadist attacks.

The Nigerian government has denied the allegations, saying that “Muslims, Christians and those of other faiths” are being targeted by armed groups.

Last Christmas, the US carried out airstrikes in Sokoto State in Nigeria, saying it was targeting camps used by groups affiliated with the Islamic State.

Since then, Nigeria and the United States have strengthened security cooperation, including intelligence sharing.