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.

A former chairman of the now-defunct Pension Reform Task Force, Abdulrasheed Maina, slumped on Tuesday and is currently hospitalised.

According to a statement on Wednesday by Marina’s media assistant, Emmanuel Ekwe, the incident occurred while he was trying to access his office.

Ekwe said the incident followed complications from an untreated knee injury.

He explained that the injury caused Maina to lose his balance and fall, hitting his head on a staircase before medical personnel attended to him and rushed him to a private hospital in Abuja.

He said, “Dr Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, slumped on the evening of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, while attempting to access his office premises.

“The incident followed complications from an untreated knee injury, which caused him to lose balance and fall, resulting in his head hitting the staircase.

“Medical personnel present promptly administered first aid, after which they rushed him to a private hospital in Abuja for urgent medical attention.”

The media assistant added that doctors are closely monitoring Maina’s condition, while his family appealed for privacy.

“Dr Maina is currently receiving intensive medical care and remains under observation. Following a preliminary medical assessment, one of the attending doctors advised that arrangements for an air ambulance medical evacuation be considered should his condition fail to stabilise within a short period.

“His family and medical team continue to monitor his progress closely.

“The family appeals to the public for prayers, understanding, and respect for their privacy at this critical time. Further updates will be communicated as developments unfold,” the statement read.

Maina is widely known for his controversial role as head of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms and the high-profile corruption case that followed.