President Trump and others have complained in recent years that the Nigerian government was not doing enough to put a stop to the abduction of Christians.
Just last month, more than 163 Christians were abducted from churches in Kaduna State..
In December, U.S. forces launched airstrikes on Islamic State group-affiliated terrorists in northwestern Nigeria. Last month, following discussions with Nigerian authorities in Abuja, the head of U.S. Africa Command confirmed a small team of U.S. military officers were in Nigeria, focused on intelligence support.
Nigeria is facing a protracted fight with dozens of local armed groups increasingly battling for turf, including Islamic sects like the homegrown Boko Haram and its breakaway faction Islamic State West Africa Province. There is also the IS-linked Lakurawa, as well as other “bandit” groups that specialize in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining.
