For the first time in many years, Nigeria will witness the presence of armed forces from a global superpower operating within its borders as officials confirmed that a military team has been sent to Nigeria, marking the first official acknowledgment of American forces on the ground since the U.S. carried out airstrikes against ISIS in December.
General Dagvin Anderson, head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), officially acknowledged that a small “military team” is now on the ground.
Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, leader of U.S. Africa Command, visited the Army War College in Carlisle, where he announced that a team of U.S. military specialists has been deployed to Nigeria to assist the country in its fight against Islamic militants.
The team is reportedly providing “unique capabilities,” which former officials and reports suggest involve intelligence gathering and operational support to help Nigerian forces target extremist groups like ISIS-West Africa and Boko Haram.
While the presence is currently described as a “small team” focused on collaboration and intelligence rather than a large-scale combat invasion, it marks a significant shift in U.S. military involvement in West Africa.
The announcement follows several missile strikes by the U.S. Navy carried out Christmas Day under orders from President Donald J. Trump against ISIS targets in Northern Nigeria.
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