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The United States military has sent a small team of troops to Nigeria to support efforts against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed bandit groups, U.S. officials said Wednesday.
General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, head of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the U.S. team is working with Nigerian forces to share “unique capabilities.”
Anderson did not give details about the team’s size or specific activities.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations, to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson told journalists at a briefing yesterday.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa, confirmed the presence of U.S. forces but offered no further information.
A former U.S. official said the team primarily gathers intelligence and assists Nigerian forces in planning operations against terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP.
The United States has previously carried out airstrikes in Nigeria, most recently on Christmas Day, against militants in Sokoto State who are affiliated with the Islamic State and killed many militants.
The strike was also coordinated with Nigerian authorities.
