President Bola Tinubu has received a delegation from the United States led by the Commander of the United States Africa Command.
In a statement on Sunday by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, the President welcomed the visitors alongside his National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and service chiefs.
The delegation included Commander of USAFRICOM, General Dagvin R. Anderson, his team, and the Charge d’Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Keith Heffern. The meeting took place at the State House, Abuja.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside his National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and service chiefs, received in Audience the Commander of General Dagvin Anderson, his team, and the Charge d’Affaires U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, Keith Heffern, at the State House,” the statement reads.
The meeting follows reports that the United States deployed a small team of troops to Nigeria on February 3, marking the first official U.S. military presence on the ground since airstrikes targeted terrorist positions in the country on Christmas Day 2025.
The deployment comes after President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on what he described as “Islamic State targets” in December 2025, and indicated further U.S. military actions could follow.
Prior to the deployment, the U.S. had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since at least November 2025, providing intelligence support ahead of the December strikes.
General Anderson said the deployment was part of deepening cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria against growing terrorist threats in West Africa.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small U.S. team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” he said.
He did not disclose the size or specific role of the team but added that it would support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
1SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
LATEST POSTS
Intellectual Dishonesty and the “Butification” of False Equivalence: Kanu and Igboho
w.adeleke@numerates.com.ng MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Prefix:Not everything that can be compared should be equated — or even given the subliminal suggestion of equivalence. When equivalence is forced where none exists, it is not analysis; it is worse than garden-variety intellectual dishonesty. It is intellectual fraud. The comparison of a convicted terrorist like Kanu with a separatist…
We didn’t push Trump into war with Iran —Israeli President, Herzog
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Israeli President Isaac Herzog has insisted that Israel did not force Donald Trump into conflict with Iran or dictate U.S. military action as hostilities continue between Washington, Tel Aviv and Tehran. In remarks on Wednesday, Herzog rejected suggestions that Israeli leaders persuaded the United States to launch strikes against Iran, stressing that the decision was made…
ADC Membership Is Flooded With Fake Identities – VP Kashim Shettima Slams Opposition
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas He insisted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is in a stronger political position than in 2023. Kashim Shettima has criticized opposition parties, accusing them of operating on what he described as “lies and hypocrisy.” He insisted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is in a stronger political position than…
