The U.S. has deployed a small team of military specialists to Nigeria to help combat Islamic militants, according to U.S. Africa Command chief Gen. Dagvin Anderson.
Nigeria has long struggled with insurgencies, particularly in the north, and the targeted killings and mass abductions of Christians by groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS-linked factions have drawn international attention.
President Donald Trump previously warned that continued “slaughtering of Christians” would bring consequences, following strikes carried out around Christmas.
The deployment comes as concerns grow over extremist expansion across West Africa, even as the U.S. continues airstrikes against ISIS fighters in Somalia and coordinates with regional partners.
