• Congressman vows to ensure Christians in Nigeria are protected
A team of United States (U.S.) military specialists has been stationed in Nigeria to help in the battle against Islamic militants, the top U.S. Commander for Africa revealed yesterday.
Gen. Dagvin Anderson of U.S.-Africa Command said the move came after recent talks in Rome with President Bola Tinubu, who, in late December 2025, greenlighted American airstrikes in the country that targeted Islamic militants.
The deployment of the American troops came as daredevil bandits reportedly killed more than 25 people in the Faskari Local Council of Katsina State.
The incident, which occurred in Doma, Tafoki community yesterday afternoon, was said to have also led to scores of residents sustaining injuries.
Though details of the attack are sketchy at the time of report, The Guardian learnt that the bandits stormed the community in their numbers and shot sporadically to scare residents.
The incident is coming on the heels of peace deals entered into by over a dozen council areas and repentant bandits, with Faskari being among those that had also entered into the deal.
The attack also came after the state government had agreed to release about 70 repentant bandits as a form of “prisoner swap” for 1,000 abducted residents who were voluntarily released by bandits.
A recent report, however, indicated that the 70 suspected and convicted bandits might still be in security custody following backlash from stakeholders about the planned release.
On Monday evening, a massive rally was held in the state metropolitan area where both President Tinubu and Governor Dikko Radda were endorsed by All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders for another term in office come 2027.
Many of the speakers at the event said they endorsed both leaders for their efforts to combat insecurity in the country.
GENERAL Anderson, speaking during a virtual news conference from his AFRICOM headquarters in Stuttgart, said he and Tinubu concurred that both countries needed to coordinate their efforts in West Africa.
He added: “That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small U.S. team that brings some unique capabilities from the U.S. to augment what Nigeria has been doing for years. I think we’ve had some really good, positive movement there.”
Anderson did not elaborate on the composition of the U.S. team or what kinds of capabilities have been set up in Nigeria.
However, the development comes at a time of increased concern about Islamic militants expanding their reach in Western Africa. In the case of Nigeria, which has long struggled with insurgencies and disorder, especially in its northern territory, the targeting of Christians by Islamic militants has gotten the attention of President Donald Trump.
Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, confirmed that a team was working in Nigeria but did not provide further details.
Meanwhile, U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has again reiterated his commitment to ending the killing of Christians in Nigeria.
Moore reaffirmed the commitment in a post on his verified X handle after meeting with Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.
He wrote: “It was an honour to meet with the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, in Nigeria yesterday.
“We had a meaningful and productive conversation about deepening the ties between our two countries. I remain committed to working with the Nigerian government in coordination and cooperation to address these security and economic challenges, especially the persecution our Christian brothers and sisters face.
“God bless you, governor, for what you do to protect Christians and other vulnerable populations in the Middle Belt.”
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