Details of Nigeria’s military collaboration with the United States have emerged, following heightened coordination after former US President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) last October.

The move came amid allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria, which the federal government has consistently denied.

Trump later threatened to deploy troops into Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to eliminate terrorists targeting Christians, prompting President Bola Tinubu to send a high-level delegation, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to meet US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

“Hegseth assured us that the department is working aggressively with Nigeria to combat terrorism, but the details of engagement were not disclosed at the time,” a source familiar with the meeting said.

Days after the high-level talks, the US began intelligence-gathering flights over Nigerian territory using contractor-operated aircraft originating from Accra, Ghana,

Punch reported. On Christmas Day, the US launched strikes on two terrorist enclaves in Bauni Forest, Tangaza LGA, Sokoto state.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the “precision hits” were the result of intelligence sharing and strategic coordination under international and bilateral agreements.

Communities in Sokoto and Kwara states reported explosions, later identified as debris from precision-guided munitions (PGMs) fired by the US.

Officials revealed that the US requested a station in Nigeria to refuel drones after missions from Ghana, initially suggesting Lagos or Abuja, but the federal government proposed a north-eastern state hosting Nigeria’s drone operations.

An official said: “We’re not going to have boots on the ground. They will support Nigeria in equipment, intelligence, or advisory capacity, including training. This is not a combat operation.”

The station is expected to enhance logistical support and coordination between the two countries’ military forces

General Dagvin Anderson, head of the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), confirmed the deployment of a “small team” to Nigeria, sparking public interest.

As reported by TheCable: “AFRICOM has always collaborated with Nigeria. US troops have been present, but the scope of their assignment has changed to support intelligence and training initiatives.”

Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s minister of Defence, explained that the personnel are not combat troops but a small advisory team assisting in intelligence gathering and training.

An official also noted that the team played a key role in coordinating the Christmas Day strikes.

Kogi State Government temporarily closes markets and motor parks to enhance security operations against criminals The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the closure affects seven local government areas, targeting logistics and movement of supplies for criminal elements Fanwo assures closure is temporary, to be lifted after successful completion of security operations

Lokoja, Kogi State – The Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo-led Kogi State Government has ordered the temporary closure of selected markets and motor parks in seven local government areas of the state.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the markets and motor parts are being shut down to intensify and coordinate security operations in the affected areas.

Fanwo said the development is to help flush out terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements operating within parts of the state. As reported by Daily Trust, he made this known while briefing journalists on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Lokoja.

He said the affected markets and motor parks are located in Lokoja, Kogi, Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Mopa Muro, Yagba West, and Yagba East local government areas of the state’s western district.

“The directive affects selected communities across seven local government areas of the state. “The measure is in support of ongoing clearance operations being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the heads of security agencies in Kogi State.”

According to Fanwo, the temporary closure is to cut off logistics, restrict the movement of consumables, and deny criminal elements. The commissioner also denied their informants access to food supplies and other forms of support during the security exercise. He disclosed that the closure was strictly temporary and would be lifted immediately after the conclusion of the security operations in the affected areas.

Recall that the Kogi state government shut schools in the state to enhance security for students amid rising threats. The state government emphasised proactive measures rather than reactive responses to avoid potential crises. The development comes amid calls for police decentralisation to empower local governments in tackling insecurity.

he Indigenous People of Biafra has announced the permanent cancellation of the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East, following a directive from its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, with effect from February 9, 2026.

The announcement was made by the group’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a statement issued on Sunday, which said the order came directly from Kanu. The pro-Biafran group had declared the weekly sit-at-home in August 2021 to protest Kanu’s rendition to Nigeria and subsequent incarceration, a move that often resulted in the shutdown of markets, schools, banks and offices.

Powerful said the new directive left “no need, excuse, or justification” for residents to remain indoors on Mondays, stressing that economic and social activities must resume fully.

“The IPOB, under the supreme leadership of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, hereby announces to the entire world that the Monday sit-at-home across the South-East is officially and permanently cancelled with effect from tomorrow, Monday, February 9, 2026.

“This directive comes directly from Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu himself, who has once again staked everything on the line to ensure that our children return to school every Monday and that our people go about their lawful businesses without fear, intimidation, or molestation,” the statement said.

The group warned that any individual or group attempting to enforce sit-at-home would be acting against Kanu’s direct order. “Kanu has made it abundantly clear that any person or group attempting to enforce sit-at-home from this moment forward is acting against his direct command,” the statement said.

Powerful also cautioned against what he described as “false-flag operations” aimed at creating fear and discouraging residents from resuming normal activities, urging people to remain calm and law-abiding.

The group further warned state governments against threatening or shutting down businesses, saying any renovation or reconstruction of markets must be carried out with the consent of stakeholders and with adequate alternative trading arrangements.