Nigeria, Oct. 27 -- The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) says defections by Islamic State (ISIS) members in Nigeria have increased by more than 200 per cent since a joint military operation by Nigerian and US forces in May.

Dagvin Anderson, commander of AFRICOM, disclosed this on Monday on the sidelines of the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) in Lagos, according to THISDAY.

Anderson attributed the increase in defections to the impact of the operation targeting a senior ISIS figure and subsequent military operations conducted by Nigerian forces.

He said the United States would continue to collaborate with Nigerian security agencies by providing intelligence, specialised capabilities and training to strengthen the...