The United States has deployed a small contingent of troops to Nigeria, marking its first confirmed on-the-ground military presence in the country since the airstrikes carried out against terrorist targets on Christmas Day 2025.
The deployment follows the December 2025 strikes ordered by US President Donald Trump, which he said were aimed at Islamic State-linked targets in Nigeria. Washington had also hinted at the possibility of further military action if deemed necessary.
According to a Reuters report on Tuesday, the presence of US troops forms part of a new understanding between Washington and the Federal Government to strengthen cooperation against the growing threat of terrorism across West Africa.
The Head of the United States Africa Command, General Dagvin R. M. Anderson, confirmed the development during a press briefing, stating that enhanced collaboration between both nations led to the deployment of a small American team.
“That has led to increased collaboration between our nations to include a small US team that brings some unique capabilities from the United States,” Anderson said, without revealing the exact number of personnel or their specific responsibilities.
Reuters also reported that Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, acknowledged the presence of the US personnel but declined to disclose further operational details.
Security sources cited in the report suggested that the American troops are likely involved in intelligence gathering and providing strategic support to Nigerian forces in ongoing operations against extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Prior to the December airstrikes, the US had reportedly conducted surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since at least late November 2025, supplying intelligence ahead of the operation.
The deployment comes amid sustained pressure from Washington over Nigeria’s handling of terrorist attacks, particularly after President Trump accused the Federal Government of failing to protect Christians in parts of the northwest — an allegation Abuja has repeatedly rejected.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has maintained that its military operations target all armed groups responsible for attacks on civilians, regardless of religious affiliation.
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