The United States has sent its military to Nigeria as part of expanded cooperation between Washington and Abuja to address terrorism.

Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, stated that Nigeria and the US agreed on the need for closer military collaboration.

According to Reuters, Anderson did not disclose the exact size and mission details of the deployed team, but described it as a small contingent with “unique capabilities” provided by the United States.

“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 said.

According to Arise News, Nigerian Defence Minister Christopher Musa also confirmed that a US team is operating in the country, declining to provide further specifics.

The US had conducted surveillance flights over the country from Ghana since at least late November.

However, the new development represents the first official acknowledgement of US forces on the ground in Nigeria since Washington conducted airstrikes in the country at the end of December.

US officials say the deployed team focuses heavily on intelligence gathering and support to Nigerian forces in their fight against terrorist-affiliated groups.

Nigeria has come under intense pressure by Washington to act after President Trump accused the West African nation of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants operating in the northwest.

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force, Makurdi, was among the five persons killed during a violent attack by gunmen on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of the state.

The confirmation was made by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi.

According to Udeme, the remaining four victims were residents of the affected community.

She explained that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Jato-Aka, Kwande LGA, received a distress report on February 3 indicating that suspected armed bandits had launched an attack on police officers deployed to Abande community as well as local residents.

Udeme disclosed that the ASP, who was on special assignment at the community, sustained fatal injuries during the incident, while four civilians also lost their lives in the attack.

She further stated that security forces have since moved into the area to prevent further violence.

“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to the area to secure the community, conduct a thorough search, and forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary.”

Udeme added that the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately take charge of the situation in Jato-Aka.

“He is directed to go with additional mobile force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensive operations, track the perpetrators, and effect their arrest.

“The Benue State Police Command commiserates with the families of the deceased and the Abande Community and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the area,” she said.