THE United States has sent a small contingent of troops to Nigeria, marking its first confirmed on-ground military presence in the country since airstrikes were carried out against terrorist targets on Christmas Day 2025.
The deployment comes in the wake of air operations authorised by U.S. President Donald Trump in December, which he said were aimed at Islamic State-linked targets in Nigeria.
At the time, Trump also suggested that additional U.S. military actions could follow.
According to Reuters, the U.S. had been conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria from neighbouring Ghana since at least late November 2025, providing intelligence support ahead of the December strikes.
The news agency reported yesterday that the troop deployment followed an agreement between the Nigerian government and Washington to strengthen cooperation in response to escalating terrorist threats across West Africa.
Speaking during a press briefing, the head of U.S. Africa Command, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, said the agreement had resulted in closer collaboration between both countries, including the presence of a small U.S. team with specialised capabilities.
He did not disclose the size of the team or detail its specific responsibilities, but noted that its role would be to support Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, also confirmed the presence of the U.S. team, though he declined to provide further information.
Security sources cited by Reuters said the American personnel are likely involved in intelligence gathering and assisting Nigerian forces in operations against groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province.
Nigeria has faced mounting pressure from Washington over its response to terrorist attacks, particularly after President Trump accused the government of failing to protect Christians in parts of the northwest, an allegation the Federal Government has strongly rejected.
Nigerian authorities have maintained that military operations are directed at all armed groups targeting civilians, irrespective of religious affiliation.
