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.

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.

The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Interior, has released a list of individuals who escaped from prisons and are now considered most wanted across the country.

Officials confirmed that the announcement was made to alert the public and encourage citizens to provide useful information that could lead to their capture.

Names of most wanted prison escapees

The Ministry of Interior published the names of the escapees as follows:
• Nworie Ikechukwu
• Nwosu Ikeja
• Obi Chika
• Obioha Ozoema
• Obi Chinedu
• Obiakor Francis Uche
• Obinna Emmanuel
• Obioha Victor
• Adamu Ibrahim
• Ajoku Darlington
• Adamu Muhammed
• Amanje Ikenna

See all the list and the faces on FG site here.

Authorities stated that these individuals were declared wanted after breaking out of correctional facilities and remain at large.

In its official statement, the Ministry of Interior wrote:
“The following persons have been declared wanted by the Ministry of Interior (Nigerian Correctional Services). If you have any information regarding any of them, Please Call the numbers +2348075050006, +2347087086005, +2349060004598 , +234 (0) 700 009 9999 or Contact the nearest police station.”

Ministry of Interior emphasised that members of the public should remain vigilant and report any sightings of the escapees to law enforcement agencies.

Security agencies across Nigeria were reported to have intensified efforts to track down the fugitives.

The government urged citizens to cooperate with the authorities to ensure that those declared wanted are returned to custody.

The development highlighted ongoing challenges within Nigeria’s correctional system and reinforced the government’s call for public support in maintaining national security.