The United States has dispatched a small military team to Nigeria, confirming increased collaboration following recent airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Nigeria. The move, announced by General Dagvin Anderson of U.S. Africa Command, comes weeks after U.S. airstrikes in Sokoto state and follows heightened U.S. pressure on Nigeria to improve protections for Christians amid ongoing Islamist insurgencies by Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa. Nigeria denies religious persecution claims, asserting it targets armed groups indiscriminately. The U.S. team’s role is believed to focus on intelligence support to Nigerian forces, with the goal of combating militant groups more effectively. Meanwhile, Nigeria faces escalating violence, including attacks on churches and civilians, and the government continues to deny accusations of religious persecution, emphasizing its fight against terrorism. The deployment reflects a broader strategic partnership amid regional security concerns.