ABUJA — The United States military has officially acknowledged the deployment of some of its forces to Nigeria to assist in the fight against Boko Haram and the escalating banditry crisis.
This disclosure was made by the General in charge of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), marking the first formal confirmation of American “boots on the ground” since the Nigerian security landscape took a significant turn following a series of air strikes on Christmas Day.
Counter-Terrorism Support
The U.S. General confirmed that a “small team of troops” has been dispatched to provide technical support and intelligence to Nigerian forces. The deployment comes at a critical time as Nigeria grapples with a surge in massacres and kidnappings across the North.
The U.S. intervention follows the recent horrific massacre in Katsina, where suspected Fulani bandits slaughtered at least 24 people in the Doma community, and the ongoing abduction of 177 Christian worshippers in Kaduna.
Global Implications and National Security
The acknowledgment of U.S. military presence highlights the internationalization of Nigeria’s security crisis. It also arrives amidst high-profile domestic legal battles, including the arraignment of former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami for allegedly abetting terrorism financing by refusing to prosecute high-level financiers during the previous administration.
Public and Religious Outcry
The international support coincides with an emotional plea from Pastor Folu Adeboye, wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Enoch Adeboye).
Addressing the state of the nation on Tuesday, Pastor Adeboye lamented that “there is too much suffering” and that “people are not happy,” urging the government to prioritize the lives of citizens over political mobilization.
Looking Ahead
While the Presidency has consistently defended its “Renewed Hope” agenda as the path to stability, the arrival of U.S. forces suggests that the local security apparatus is under immense pressure.
Opposition figures have welcomed the international assistance but remain critical of the administration’s focus on the 2027 polls, which the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, recently described as a “patriotic national assignment” for every Nigerian.
