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Security on Edge: US Military Moves Into Nigeria Under Tinubu’s Watch

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The US has deployed security agents to Nigeria, focusing on combating terrorism, with increased collaboration between American and Nigerian forces. President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on insurgents amid allegations of religious persecution in Nigeria. Nigeria faces escalating threats from ISIS-linked terrorists and criminal gangs, complicating security efforts in the West African nation.

Washington, USA – The United States (US) has sent a small team of troops to Nigeria, Dagvin Anderson, the general in charge of America’s command for Africa, disclosed on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. As reported by Reuters, this is the first acknowledgement of US forces on the ground since Washington struck Nigeria by air on Christmas Day 2025.

Recall President Donald Trump ordered airstrikes on what he described as Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Nigeria in December 2025 and said there could be more US military action there. The US had been conducting surveillance flights over the country from Ghana since at least late November 2025.

Anderson, a top general, stated that the US team was sent after both countries agreed that more needed to be done to combat the terrorist threat in West Africa. Anderson told newsmen during a press briefing on Tuesday, February 3, 3026: “That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States.” The military expert did not, however, provide further details about the scope and size of their mission.

On his part, Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s minister of defence, confirmed that a team was working in the African nation but did not provide further details. Speaking in the same vein, a former US official disclosed that America’s team appeared to be heavily involved in intelligence gathering and enabling Nigerian forces to strike terrorist-affiliated groups.

Dailyvoice.ng reports that Nigeria has come under intense pressure from Washington to act after President Trump accused the West African nation of failing to protect Christians from Islamist militants operating in the core north.  The Nigerian government denies any systematic persecution of Christians, saying it is targeting Islamist fighters and other armed groups that attack both Christian and Muslim civilians.

The US launched “powerful and deadly” strikes against militants linked to the Islamic State group (IS) in north-western Nigeria, where militants have sought to establish a foothold. Trump had earlier designated Nigeria a country of particular concern over alleged Christian genocide.

Trump told Politico he ordered the December 25, 2025, strikes as “a Christmas present”. Camps allegedly run by the terrorist groups in Sokoto State were reportedly hit near the border with Niger, the US military said. Casualty numbers were not clear, but US officials said the terrorists were killed. Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, told the BBC that it was a “joint operation” and had “nothing to do with a particular religion”.

Trump told Politico otherwise in an interview.

The American leader said of the airstrikes:

“They were going to do it earlier. And I said, ‘nope, let’s give a Christmas present.’ They didn’t think that was coming, but we hit them hard. Every camp got decimated.” The US military said an “initial assessment” suggested “multiple” fatalities in Sokoto State.  However, a special report by HumAngle in January 2026 described the attack as “performative,” with some local conflict and terrorism experts saying the airstrike largely failed to achieve its publicly stated mission.

Meanwhile, General Anderson said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is working closely with American forces to eliminate terrorists in the West African region. Anderson, the commander of Africa Command (AFRICOM), said Nigeria was a shining example among other African nations leveraging the US’ sophisticated arsenal and “unique capabilities” in intelligence-gathering to exterminate the Boko Haram and the Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents.

The US general made the statement at the press briefing on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when asked about AFRICOM’s counterterrorism efforts in African partner countries. He noted that the command wanted to expand operations in West Africa, using Nigeria as a case study.

In the north, Boko Haram, Nigeria’s homegrown armed group, in 2025, mounted a major resurgence. The group took up arms in 2009 to fight Western education and impose its radical version of Islamic law. Meanwhile, criminal groups specialising in kidnapping for ransom and looting, commonly referred to as bandits, are also dominant. In recent months, armed group fighters have repeatedly overrun military outposts, mined roads with bombs and raided civilian communities, raising fears of a possible return to the peak insecurity of a decade ago.

 

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Nigerian Gov Announces Fresh Public Holiday for Workers Across State

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The Ekiti State Government has declared Friday, June 19, 2026, a work-free day for public servants in the state.

Naija News reports that the government said the holiday was to enable workers to travel to their respective voting centres ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 20.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Permanent Secretary to the Head of Service, Janet Ajibola.

“His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has graciously declared Friday, 19th June, 2026, as a work-free day for all public servants across the state,” the statement read.

Ajibola said the directive was addressed to commissioners, special advisers, the Secretary to the State Government, permanent secretaries, the Clerk of the House, heads of tertiary institutions, the Registrar of the High Court of Justice, general managers, executive secretaries and heads of departments.

“For the purpose of public safety and continuity of essential services, hospitals and health centres, fire service departments and other essential service providers are exempted and shall continue to provide appropriate services,” the statement added.

The Permanent Secretary urged heads of exempted essential institutions to ensure uninterrupted service delivery during the election period.

She also directed chief executive officers and accounting officers across state parastatals to ensure compliance and wide circulation of the directive.

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BREAKING: Mixed Reactions as Tinubu Announces Fresh Appointment

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The news of Kunle Elebute by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN). has started generating reactions from Nigerians.

Kunle Elebute, a renowned chartered accountant and financial management consultant, as the chair of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

This was disclosed in a statement by the presidency on Thursday, June 18, adding that his appointment, adding that his appointment was meant to strengthen corporate governance, deepen accountability and transparency, as well as enhance the confidence of investors within the financial reporting ecosystem of Nigeria.

According to The Punch, Elebute is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) with over 40 years of professional experience in Nigeria, West Africa and the world at large. Elebute had earlier served as the senior partner and chief executive officer of KPMG Nigeria, the KPMG West Africa chairman and the chairman of KPMG Africa.

Also, he had served on the regional and global boards of KPMG, such as its Global Board Audit Committee.

In the statement, he was described as a highly respected professional with wide experience in financial advisory services, auditing, strategic transformation, risk consulting and corporate governance.

Below are some of their comments: 

Segun Benson said the appointment should have gone to another qualified person in another region of the country:  “I would have expected Mr President to appoint a qualified person from another region.. no shades.”

Dimeji Lawal said that Nigerians are on the lookout for the effect of the appointment: “The appointment is one thing. The impact of the appointment is what Nigerians will be watching.”

Danjuma claimed that Tinubu’s appointments are following a particular pattern of the late former president Muhammadu Buhari: “I like Tinubu for this, he is following the footsteps of Buhari, who fulanised Nigeria with his appointments.”

Shamsuddeen commended the appointment of Elebute by President Tinubu, describing it as wonderful: “That’s another wonderful selection by President Tinubu GCFR by appointing Mr Elebute. Congratulations sir.”

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Tinubu Makes Fresh Top Appointment

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Nigeria, Benin Sign Integration Pact

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Kunle Elebute as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.

Naija News reports that the appointment was disclosed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.

Mr. Kunle Elebute

Mr. Kunle Elebute

Elebute is a former Chief Executive Officer of KPMG Nigeria and previously served as Chairman of KPMG Africa.

During his illustrious career, he also served on KPMG’s regional and global boards, including its Global Board Audit Committee.

He is an accountant and economist with several decades of experience in auditing, financial advisory, corporate governance, and business consulting.

“Mr Elebute’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as the FRCN advances key institutional priorities, including ongoing engagements under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership and broader efforts to align Nigeria’s corporate reporting framework with international best practices.

“The Federal Government is confident that his wealth of experience, leadership, and governance expertise will further strengthen the Council’s mandate and support the Renewed Hope Agenda’s objective of building a more transparent, competitive, and investment-friendly economy,” the statement added.

The Financial Reporting Council is the agency responsible for setting and enforcing accounting, auditing, actuarial, valuation, and corporate governance standards in Nigeria.

 

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